Former Gator could be eyeing top management position with Chicago Bears

Former Florida football standout Trace Armstrong might be looking to take a big step in the sports world with his playing days now long behind him, as a report has him eyeing the top management position with one of his former NFL teams, the Chicago Bears. According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the former player-turned-agent spoke to team officials last month, potentially setting the wheels in motion for a possible reunion with the team he broke into the pros with.

The rumors were ignited when CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora published a report stating that the Bears franchise was looking into making “sweeping changes” to its coaching staff and front office. The suggestion was made that Amstrong would oversee football operations, with both the general manager and head coach reporting directly to him.

However, Armstrong has since denied the report, posting a tweet on Sunday refuting Canforta’s words.

The meeting back in November came when many other former players returned to Chicago to honor the late Clyde Emrich, a longtime strength coach and former Olympic wrestler who spent 50 years in the organization, so there is no way to directly correlate his conversations with the organization with interest in a management position. Amstrong currently works as an agent for football coaches, the list of which includes USC‘s newest head coach, Lincoln Riley.

Amstrong’s association with the Florida Gators is an interesting one, spending just a single season in the Swamp after transferring from Arizona State due to an academic mixup, making him among the earliest transfer players in the sport. He was recognized as a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and a first-team All-American at defensive tackle in 1988 before being selected in the first round (11th overall) in the 1989 NFL draft.

Despite his short stint in Gainesville on the field, Trace still holds his orange and blue alma mater dear, having returned to campus to complete his master’s degree and still visiting the football program on a regular basis.

Talking with Trace: Gators Wire exclusive series with Trace Armstrong

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