The Chicago Bears have promoted longtime scout and front office executive Jeff King to assistant general manager, the team announced Thursday.
King, 43, moves into the role previously held by Ian Cunningham, who departed the organization in late January to become the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. The promotion marks a decade-long climb through the Bears' personnel department for King, who first joined the club as a scouting intern in 2015.
"Jeff has earned this promotion through his commitment to our team and his excellence within our operation, as well as the positive impact that he has created throughout our organization," Bears General Manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. "We look forward to Jeff’s continued leadership and contributions as we work toward building a sustained winner." 
A native of Pulaski, Virginia, King’s path to the NFL front office began at Pulaski County High School, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete. A PrepStar All-American on the football field while playing for the late legendary former Head Coach Joel Hicks, he also recorded over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for the Cougars’ basketball team before graduating in 2001.
King continued his football career at Virginia Tech, becoming a key fixture in the Hokies' offense under coach Frank Beamer. As a tight end, he appeared in 53 games in Blacksburg, hauling in 12 career touchdowns—a school record for a tight end at the time of his departure.
Selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, King played seven seasons as a tight end in the league. He spent five years in Carolina and two with the Arizona Cardinals, appearing in 108 games and finishing his playing career with 156 receptions for 1,323 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Following his retirement from the field after the 2012 season, King transitioned into the front office. After his 2015 internship, he served as a pro scout (2016-2020), director of pro scouting (2020-2022), and most recently as the senior director of player personnel.
"I’m super lucky," King said of the promotion in a media release from the team, which was announced on his birthday. "When I walked in here 12 years ago as an intern, I didn’t think it would go this far, but I’ve been very lucky and appreciative of this organization because it is special."
The move provides continuity for a Bears front office that oversaw an 11-6 campaign in 2025, which included the franchise's first NFC North title since 2018 and its first playoff victory in 15 years. King will now serve as Poles' top lieutenant as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Jeff King is just one more example of Cougar Pride for Pulaski County. Congratulations Jeff!