Jason Licht first GM candidate Bears interview

Jason Licht, the New England Patriots director of pro personnel, interviewed today at Halas Hall for the Bears’ vacant general manager job.

Licht (pronounced Light) is the first candidate to be interviewed for the position, which came open when Jerry Angelo was fired Jan. 3.

Licht, who has been in his current position for three years, is a 16-year veteran of the NFL. He re-joined the Patriots personnel department in 2009 after spending four seasons (1999-2002) as a college scout with the Patriots.

Licht served as a personnel executive for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals in 2008 when they advanced to the Super Bowl, losing to the Steelers. He spent five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles as their vice president of player personnel (2006-07) and assistant director of player personnel (2003-05).

Licht first joined the Patriots as a college scout in 1999. In June 2001, he became the team’s national scout, responsible for evaluating top college prospects and NFL players.

The Bears also plan to interview Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery, Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross. Raye is expected next in the rotation, possibly as early as Tuesday.

Bears director of player personnel Tim Ruskell is also still considered a candidate for the G.M. job.

Martz decides to retire:Former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz is retiring after 19 seasons as an NFL coach, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network. Martz was not rehired after the 2011 regular season, following two up-and-down years as the Bears#146; offensive architect. Martz was the St. Louis Rams#146; head coach for five seasons 2000-05, and their offensive coordinator for a year before that, when his offense was dubbed #147;The Greatest Show on Turf#148; because of its explosiveness, especially in the passing game. That type of high-scoring attack was only occasionally evident in his two years with the Bears. ŸFollow Bob#146;s Bears reports via Twitter @BobLeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.