Bears expand search for general manager

According to NFL sources, the Bears have requested additional interviews with candidates for their vacant general manager position.

It was originally reported that Bears adviser Ernie Accorsi had set up interviews with Giants vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross, Ravens director of pro personnel Vince Newsome and Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson.

To that list, the team has added Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard, previously a Bears scout for 12 years; Baltimore Ravens assistant G.M. Eric DeCosta; Houston Texans director of pro personnel Brian Gaine; and New Orleans Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace.

Make your plans:

The dates won't be out until April, but the Bears know who and where they'll play in 2015.

In addition to home and away contests against their NFC North foes - the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings - the Bears will be on the road against the St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.

Visitors to Soldier Field include the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders.

Not interested:

Vikings assistant general manager George Paton, a former Bears scout, will not interview with them or the New York Jets for their G.M. openings and is staying in Minnesota.

Money's worth:

According to CBS Sports, Matt Forte's 2015 base salary increases $400,000 from $6.65 million to $7.05 million for reaching 1,625 yards from scrimmage this season. He finished with 1,846, including 1,038 rushing (on 266 carries, for a 3.9-yard average) and 808 receiving (on NFL-record 102 receptions, 7.9-yard average).