hris Finlen has wasted little time in making his impact felt in the NFL.

He would have liked for that impact to have been on the field, but the second-leading passer in NIU history will take what he can get.

After graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in sports management, Finlen is working in the Chicago Bears’ player personnel department as a full-time intern.

The majority of Finlen’s working time is spent putting together tapes of pro players and potential prospects from the college ranks.

“My goal was to stay in sports in some way,” Finlen said about his postgraduate job. “This is a great opportunity.”

The opportunity came about in part because of NIU coach Joe Novak’s relationship with Bears’ general manager Jerry Angelo. Angelo was playing at Miami (Ohio) when Novak was a graduate assistant for the Bobcats.

“When the thing with the Bears came up, I thought it would be a natural for Chris,” Novak said. “I’m very excited for him.”

Finlen finished his NIU career first in pass attempts, and second in completions, passing yards and completion percentage.

He said he still keeps in touch with NIU quarterbacks coach Matt Canada and current sidelined wide receiver P.J. Fleck, whom Finlen was roommates with at NIU.

While Finlen said Angelo is his ultimate boss, he said he works day-to-day with Bobby DePaul, the Bears’ director of pro personnel.

“I’ve only been here two and a half months, but from what everybody says, these two guys are some of the best in the business,” Finlen said. “I couldn’t be working for two better guys.”

After starting for four years at NIU, Finlen has had trouble with the adjustment to the front office as opposed to the gridiron.

“That’s really my biggest struggle right now,” Finlen said. “I’m still involved, but I don’t get the same highs as I did when I was playing. I don’t get the adrenaline rush of game-day.”

Finlen got at least a taste of that adrenaline Aug. 29 when he scouted the NIU-Wake Forest game, which the Huskies pulled off a 42-41 overtime win.

He said he hopes to do more on-site scouting, but for now he’s content with what the Bears give him.

“Most of the time I’m staying in the office,” Finlen said. “I’m learning as much as I can.

“The great thing about this job is I get to put my hand in just about everything. I’m just going to keep working hard and take things as they come,” he said.