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Phillips, 65, has held his current position
since 1999.
The decision to retire was announced Friday, but Phillips said
it has been on his mind for a few years.
"Forty seasons is a long time," he said. "I'm very blessed and I
love my job. But when COVID hit, it gave me time to reflect and
think about what I want my future to be. I'm healthy, so there's
no issue there, knock on wood. It was more just wanting to give
myself the gift of time, to be able to enjoy my family and my
friends.
"It's a demanding job; takes a lot of time, there's a lot of
pressure. I just felt like it's time to hand the baton to
somebody else."
Phillips joined the Bears in 1983 as the controller. He served
as director of finance from 1987-93 and vice president of
operations from 1993-99.
He became just the fourth president of the 102-year-old
franchise, following George Halas, George "Mugs" Halas Jr. and
Michael McCaskey.
The Bears will kick off their final season under Phillips'
leadership on Sept. 11 when the San Francisco 49ers visit
Soldier Field.
--Field Level Media
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