Bears fire DePaul

The Chicago Bears fired senior director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul after nine seasons on Monday.

Hired out of the Philadelphia Eagles' front office in June 2001, DePaul helped build a team that won three division titles and an NFC championship in 2006. He played a big role in the trade for quarterback Jay Cutler that sent optimism soaring entering last season, but the Bears stumbled to a 7-9 record while missing the playoffs for the third straight year.

That led to an upheaval in the coaching staff - particularly on the offensive side, where the Bears brought in two former head coaches in offensive coordinator Mike Martz and offensive line coach Mike Tice.