LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- As the Chicago Bears begin a year that could redefine one of the NFL’s charter franchises, their first move was changing their approach to filling a key position.
By hiring former Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren as the team president and CEO, the Bears strayed from their standard operating procedure of promoting from within. Warren replaces Ted Phillips, who is retiring after 40 seasons with the organization, including the last 24 as president and CEO.
Warren, who will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday, is different. He boasts 21 years of experience at the highest levels of the NFL in executive roles with the St.