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Earlier this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles announced they'd be embarking on a search to hire a new personnel chief. The Eagles reportedly interviewed multiple candidates before ultimately suspending their search until after the 2016 NFL Draft. Now that the draft is over, it appears the Eagles' search has resumed, as expected. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports Bears and former Baltimore Ravens executive Joe Douglas is a strong candidate for the Eagles' job.
"Two league sources told the Tribune the Eagles requested and were granted permission to interview Douglas for a vice president position in Philadelphia that would oversee the team's pro and college scouting departments. It's not a foregone conclusion that Douglas will not return but he's believed to be a very strong candidate for the job under executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman. The Bears hired Douglas last May to be the college scouting director after a 15-year run with the Ravens. Pace could have blocked the Eagles' request because it does not include a general manager title."
Douglas is apparently highly thought of around the league.
Ravens lose one of their most trusted voices -- National scout Joe Douglas is headed to Chicago to be Bears college scouting director.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 15, 2015
Joe Douglas (new director of college scouting for the Bears) is one of the best talent evaluators I've ever been around.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) May 15, 2015
Veteran Ravens scout Joe Douglas went to bat for Joe Flacco during the drafting process. Good call by a great scout.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 21, 2013
Worth noting that #Bears new Director of College Scouting, Joe Douglas, spent last 15 years working under NFL's best GM, Ozzie Newsome.
— Dillon James (@Dillon__James) April 29, 2016
It's clear the new personnel chief is going to serve under executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman, so it's easy to wonder exactly how much power he'll have. Besides, Roseman has already had a lot of influence in the future of this team. He took part in hiring Doug Pederson as head coach. He orchestrated the team's trade up to No. 2 to draft Carson Wentz. Still, the Eagles could benefit from adding another respected football executive to their organization.
The Eagles are bound to announce some scouting staff changes in the near future. The post-draft period is typically when teams make changes to the front office. We'll see if Douglas ends up being the guy they hire.