A thumbnail look at milestones in the Jerry Angelo era:
2001: Angelo hired by Ted Phillips as first Bears first general manager since Jerry Vainisi, succeeding personnel VP Mark Hatley. Bears win NFC North at 13-3, lose to Philadelphia in divisional playoff round.
2002: Dick Jauron re-signed as coach after acrimonious contract negotiations. Bears draft Boston College OT Marc Colombo, first pick under Angelo.
2004: Jauron fired; Bears announce contract extensions for Phillips, Angelo. Angelo hires Lovie Smith after failed run at Nick Saban.
2005: Bears win NFC North, lose first round to Carolina Panthers.
2006: Bears reach Super Bowl XLI, lose to Indianapolis Colts.
2007: Lovie Smith signs 23 million contract extension.
NFL
2009: Angelo trades two No. 1 draft picks in blockbuster deal for QB Jay Cutler.
2010: Bears land DE Julius Peppers in the top acquisition in free agency; Bears win NFC North at 11-5 and reach NFC Championship game where they lose to the Green Bay Packers.
2011: Smith signed to two-year extension. Bears reach 7-3, Cutler suffers broken thumb and Bears go on five-game losing streak to miss playoffs and finish 8-8. Angelo says in Denver that he intends to be back for 2012 for one more run at this thing.
2012: Angelo era ends, 98-81 regular-season record.