CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears have received permission to interview four candidates for their general manager job.
The team reported on its website Wednesday that it will interview Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery, New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross.
Bears director of player personnel Tim Ruskell also remains in the running to replace former general manager Jerry Angelo, and more candidates could enter the mix.
The Bears fired Angelo on Jan. 3 after 11 years following a disappointing 8-8 season. Injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte derailed a 7-3 start, with the team dropping five straight before winning the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bears have said the new GM will have to work with coach Lovie Smith next season.
Emery served as an area scout with the Bears from 1998 to 2004 and was Atlanta's director of college scouting from 2004 to 2008 before working as a regional scout for the Atlanta Falcons leading up to the 2009 draft. He has spent the past three years in his current role.
Licht rejoined the Patriots' personnel department in 2009, after working there from 1999 to 2002. In between, he spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Raye joined the Chargers in 1996 and spent four seasons as a scout before serving as director of college scouting from 2000 to 2007. His father, Jimmy Raye II, spent 34 years as an assistant coach in the NFL, most recently with the San Francisco 49ers in 2010.
Ross is in his fifth season as Giants director of college scouting.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press