Report: George Paton to interview in Carolina, Cleveland

George Paton, the assistant general manager for the Minnesota Vikings, is getting play again this offseason.

Paton was a strong candidate to be hired in St. Louis last year before he backed out of the process for a promotion in Minnesota. Les Snead was eventually hired by the Rams.

Now, Paton is lined up to interview this coming week with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. Both are interesting situation. The personnel man hired in Cleveland will have to work closely with team president Joe Banner and likely will be dealing with a coach who has never been at the NFL level in Chip Kelly. The Oregon coach is meeting with teams today but indications have been he will be hired in Cleveland.

In Carolina, the general manager will have to work with Ron Rivera, who will return this season. But owner Jerry Richardson is generally patient with his front office and this situation will require one as the Panthers are in a mess with the salary cap right now.

Paton is well respected in league circles. We’ll see what shakes out.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune