"The Bears' general manager search intensified Thursday as the team honed in on its leading candidates.

At the front of the line is Ravens personnel director Eric DeCosta. The Bears asked the Ravens on Thursday for permission to interview him, a source told the Tribune. He is the only candidate the Bears are believed to have asked for permission to interview.

By league rules, the Ravens cannot deny the Bears permission to interview DeCosta because the Bears would be offering him a clear promotion with complete personnel control. But the Ravens can delay the Bears from talking with him because they are in the playoffs."