Through persistence, Kelly positions himself to run a team

By ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly spent years trying to land a job in the NFL. He is now a high-ranking official for a charter NFL franchise and a Black man hoping to run a team in a league in which few minorities get that opportunity. There were only five in GM jobs this season. The Bears are looking for one after firing Ryan Pace along with coach Matt Nagy following a 6-11 finish. Kelly has been with the organization since 2015 and was promoted to his current position two years later.