Bears Target Two GM Candidates With Kansas City Chiefs Ties

After looking at the Chicago Bears depth chart, particularly on the offensive side, you scratch your head. The roster is oozing with firepower, yet the team finishes last in the NFC North—two games behind the Minnesota Vikings.

Regardless, Chicago decided to enter this offseason with a clean slate, firing former head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery.

Per NFL Network’s Albert Breer, the club is now setting its sights on two GM nominees with ties to the Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Ballard and Lake Dawson.

Ballard has been the Chiefs Director of Player Personnel since the 2013 offseason. However, he came up through the Bears organization.

Reid Ferrin of KCChiefs.com notes:

"The former Chicago Bears personnel staff member spent 12 seasons with Chicago, including one season as the Director of Pro Scouting (2012). He spent the previous 11 seasons as the Bears Southwest Area Scout (2001-11). During that time, Ballard helped Chicago draft Pro Bowlers Matt Forte, Johnny Knox, Charles Tillman, Tommie Harris and Nathan Vasher."

Locally, Dawson is primarily known for his playing days. Kansas City plucked the receiver in the third round of the 1994 draft, following the selections of Greg Hill and Donnell Bennett. Despite a promising start, his career was ultimately derailed by injuries.

Dawson, now VP of Football Operations for the Tennessee Titans, has made a name for himself amongst the scouting community. Though he has been with the Titans since 2007, he climbed the NFL ranks in Seattle.

His bio on TitansOnline.com states:

"While with the Seattle Seahawks, Dawson was an instrumental member of the personnel department, as the organization won the NFC West Divisional Championship in three consecutive seasons and earned a Super Bowl appearance in 2005. In Seattle, Dawson last held the title of Assistant Director of Pro Personnel and he originally joined the Seahawks as a Pro Personnel Assistant in 2001."