The Bears will introduce their new general manager, Phil Emery, today at a press conference, but he already has made his first major decision.

The team confirmed Monday that director of player personnel Tim Ruskell has been relieved of his duties. The club announced that the two sides had "mutually agreed to part ways."

Ruskell, who was hired by former GM Jerry Angelo before the 2010 season, interviewed for the general manager position with the Bears earlier this month but was not among the two finalists for the job.

It's believed that Emery will hire two people — a pro personnel director and college scouting director — to replace Ruskell.

The way we see it

Cross one potential question for today's press conference off the list. There were some questions about how much power Emery would have in terms of hiring and firing people right off the bat, but this is an indication that he does have say over those working in his scouting department.