Chris Ballard is expected to be named general manager of the Chicago Bears, according to published reports.

The Bears fired Phil Emery on Dec. 29, the day after the team finished the regular season 6-10, and also dismissed head coach Marc Trestman.

Ballard has 12 years experience in personnel including as a scout with the Bears under general manager Jerry Angelo, who was Emery’s predecessor.

“Chris Ballard is a tremendous person and he’s very sharp at what he does,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said last week. “He has a tremendous future.”

Former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi is serving as a consultant to Bears chairman George McCaskey and president Ted Phillips, who also must hire a head coach after firing Lovie Smith and Trestman in a span of three years.

Ballard was one of four general manager candidates formally interviewed by the Bears.