LAKE FOREST—The Bears announced Thursday they have hired Ryan Pace as their new general manager. He replaces Phil Emery, who was let go in December after three years as general manager.Pace spent the last 14 seasons with the Saints, including the last two as the director of player personnel. Prior to that, he served as an operations assistant (2001), scouting assistant (2002-03), pro scout (2004-06) and director of pro scouting (2007-12).

“I’d hate to lose him and yet, he’s ready for a general manager’s job,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said when talking with the media Tuesday. “He’s talented. I would expect to lose him at some point.”