Big Ten logo Aug 31, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; Big Ten logo on yardage markers during warmups prior to the game betwee the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Big Ten named Kevin Warren its conference commissioner back in 2020 to replace longtime commissioner Jim Delaney, who held the position for over 30 years before his retirement. And it looks like the conference will be looking for Warren’s replacement already.

According to a report from league insider Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network, the Chicago Bears are hiring Kevin Warren as their new president and CEO.

“Sources: The #Bears are expected to name Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren as their new president and CEO. A major hire for the organization and for Warren, who spent time in the NFL prior to college football as a top executive for the #Vikings,” Rapoport said in a Tweet.

News broke last month that Warren was interviewing for the job, but the conference released a statement indicating that Warren “remained focused” on the Big Ten. But apparently, that’s no longer true.

It’s a massive move in both the college football world and the NFL world, and people had plenty to say about it on Twitter.

“Fascinating time for a new Big Ten commissioner to come into power,” Ohio State reporter Jeremy Birmingham said in a tweet.

“Huge move for the #Bears. Big. Bold. Smart. Biggest offseason in decades off to a great start. Kevin Warren is as qualified for this role as anybody the McCaskeys ever have hired for a big job,” former Bears columnist David Haugh said in a tweet.

“The CFP commissioner room has had its share of incredible turnover lately,” Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated said on Twitter.

“A+ hire. Kevin Warren will bring stability, leadership, and competence to the organization,” Fantasy football writer Paul Charchian said on Twitter.

Warren faced a lot of criticism for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he positioned the Big Ten well for the future by adding USC and UCLA to the conference, and it sounded like he had big plans for the future before deciding to leave.

[Ian Rapoport]