Bears' pro personnel boss relieved of his duties

After nine years as the Bears' senior director of pro personnel, Bobby DePaul is out of a job, but probably not for long.

DePaul, 46, who helped orchestrate the trade that brought quarterback Jay Cutler to the Bears a year ago, was relieved of his duties Monday afternoon.

DePaul also helped build the Bears' teams that won back-to-back division titles in 2005 and in '06, when the Bears advanced to Super Bowl XLI.

The 21-year NFL veteran shouldn't have any trouble finding another job.

He is well connected throughout the league and has a strong reputation, having helped to bring in key players such as running back Thomas Jones, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, guards Ruben Brown and Roberto Garza, defensive tackle Anthony Adams and tight end Desmond Clark.

DePaul's plans for now remain on hold.

"On vacation until further notice - ha, ha," he said in a text message Monday night.

DePaul also has helped acquire street free agents who were discarded by other teams, most recently linebacker Tim Shaw, who was signed after the season opener yet still led the team with 30 special-teams tackles and played at a Pro Bowl level.

Place-kicker Robbie Gould, the third-most-accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, also was signed as a street free agent.

Wide receiver Devin Aromashodu was signed off the Washington Redskins' practice squad in 2008, and he emerged late last season as a possible starter for next season.

In addition to supervising the pro personnel department and the evaluation of NFL talent, DePaul was involved with day-to-day football operations and assisted in salary-cap maintenance and contract negotiations.

He came to the Bears after serving as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles' player-personnel department for four seasons (1997-2000). Before that he was an assistant coach with the Redskins (1989-93) and the Cincinnati Bengals (1994-96).

An early report said that DePaul was escorted from Halas Hall on Monday afternoon, but that was contradicted by a team source who witnessed his departure.

DePaul was a linebacker on Maryland teams that won three ACC titles and made four bowl appearances.