Bears Relieve General Manager Jerry Angelo of Duties; Lovie Smith To Remain Head Coach

The Chicago Bears let go of general manager Jerry Angelo on Tuesday, although the team announced head coach Lovie Smith will remain with the team.

Coming off a season in which they were seemingly unprepared for the possibility that starting quarterback Jay Culter could get injured, the Bears elected to relieve Angelo of his duties.

Angelo was responsible for drafting 16 players in the last six years who went on to receive Pro Bowl selections, but the failure to sign a capable backup as an alternative to Caleb Hanie doomed the Bears in last year's NFC title game and cost them a playoff spot this season.

The Bears, who opened the season with seven wins in their first 10 games, lost of five of six to miss the playoffs.

Angelo took over the Bears' personnel decisions in 2001, leading to three NFC North titles and a Super Bowl appearance.