Tag: GM

Aug 13, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, left, and general manager Ryan Poles walk off the field after the Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears GM: Bidding for No. 1 pick begins at two first-rounders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No general manager cheered top quarterback performances at the NFL Scouting Combine more than Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears.

Chicago owns the No. 1 pick in the draft for the first time since 1947 but Poles, in his second season with the franchise, has no intention of drafting any of the quarterbacks who are in high demand atop the 2023 draft in April.

Any team can have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Poles made the asking price crystal clear over the past week.

“I’m blessed to be able to read people,” Poles said in an interview with NBC Sports. “I can feel it. There’s urgency out there. There’s pressure.”

Reports indicate at least three teams have offers on the table to the Bears: the Houston Texans, who pick second and 12th overall in 2023; the Indianapolis Colts, who pick at No. 4 and No. 35; and the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has a bonus first-round pick, No. 5, as a result of the Russell Wilson trade last year, as well as the No. 20 pick.

Poles, 37, doesn’t need to act with any urgency. Picks in the next three drafts can be used in trades only after the 2023 league year begins March 15. If Poles waits until draft day, 2026 draft picks can also be included.

The Bears are comfortable at quarterback with developing 2021 first-rounder Justin Fields. And with $100 million in salary cap space, the Bears are in position to assure the rebuild under way has some staying power. Moving lower than the No. 2 pick in a trade with the Texans would bring the risk for Poles that his preferred player is picked by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3. Like Chicago, the Cardinals aren’t in this QB market.

“No one’s gonna rush me,” Poles said. “I know I can get a ‘24 one and a ‘25 one. You’re telling me for the next two years I’ll have two ones? That’s either four really good players, or if we’re cruising, we can still trade back.”

Poles is operating without a second-round pick in 2023. The Bears traded theirs, which turned out to be No. 32 overall, to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the October deadline for wide receiver Chase Claypool. When Miami forfeited its first-round pick due to tampering, the first pick of the second round became No. 32.

That intel might be good news for the Colts, who could offer No. 4 and No. 35 for No. 1.

The Texans have trump cards at nearly every turn with capital returned from the Cleveland Browns and the Deshaun Watson trade last year. In addition to the second pick and No. 12 from Cleveland, Houston has an extra third-round pick from the Browns and five of the top 73 selections in this draft.

Should Seattle veer to make a move out of general manager John Schneider’s typical lane of moving back and collecting value, this could be the year. Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll chirped of the rare opportunity and decided interest in quarterbacks in this class, which might also be calculated public discourse to entice a trade offer from another QB-needy team.

But Seattle picks fifth, 20th and 37th, with five total picks in the top 83.

The Raiders (seventh) and Panthers (ninth) are also known to be in the QB market.

“The interesting part is having a conversation with one team, and then one hour later another team texts you wanting in on the trade and they’re not afraid of what the floor of what you’re asking for is,” Poles said.

–Field Level Media

Jul 27, 2022; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) speaks with the media after day one of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman to GM: ‘Stop pointing the finger at us’

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman blasted general manager Eric DeCosta’s self-assessment that he hasn’t fared well at the position in recent drafts.

“If I had an answer, that would probably mean I would have some better receivers. … We’re gonna keep swinging,” DeCosta said on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

“There have been some guys that have been successful players for us that were draft picks. We’ve never really hit on that All-Pro type of guy, which is disappointing, but it’s not for a lack of effort. … It’s one of those anomalies that I really can’t explain, other than to say that we’re not going to stop trying.”

That answer didn’t sit well with Bateman, who took to Twitter on Thursday before later deleting the tweet.

“How bout you play to your player’s strength and & stop pointing the finger at us and #8 (quarterback Lamar Jackson) … blame the one you let do this … we take heat 24/7,” Bateman wrote. “And keep us healthy … care about US & see what happen..ain’t no promises tho … tired of y’all lyin and capn on players for no reason.”

Injuries have played a role in the first two NFL seasons for Bateman, who was selected by the Ravens with the 27th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He had 46 catches for 515 yards and one touchdown in 12 games during his rookie season, and 15 receptions for 285 yards and two scores in 2022.

Tight end Mark Andrews led the Ravens in catches (73), receiving yards (847) and touchdown receptions (five) last season. Demarcus Robinson led the team’s wide receivers in catches (48) and receiving yards (458), while Devin Duvernay had three touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Tennessee Titans helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Titans hire Ran Carthon as general manager

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The Tennessee Titans are hiring San Francisco 49ers director of player personnel Ran Carthon to be their next general manager, multiple reports said Tuesday.

Carthon, who turns 42 next month, is a former NFL running back who has also served as a scout for the Atlanta Falcons and director of player personnel for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.

Carthon had been with San Francisco since May 2017. He started as the director of pro personnel before being promoted to director of player personnel ahead of the 2021 season.

The Titans began the 2022 season 7-3 before losing their final seven games to bottom out at 7-10 and miss the playoffs. During that slide, they fired general manager Jon Robinson on Dec. 6, 10 months after giving him a contract extension.

Another candidate for Tennessee was its own director of player personnel, Monti Ossenfort, but Ossenfort was hired as the Arizona Cardinals’ general manager on Monday.

Carthon appeared in nine NFL games across 2005 and 2006 for the Indianapolis Colts. He scored two touchdowns among his 16 carries in those games. He played collegiately at Florida.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view od Arizona Cardinals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals hire Titans’ Monti Ossenfort as new general manager

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The Arizona Cardinals tapped Monti Ossenfort as their new general manager on Monday.

Ossenfort was the Tennessee Titans’ director of player personnel for the past three seasons. Before that, he worked in scouting for the New England Patriots for 15 seasons and the Houston Texans for two.

Arizona had a vacancy after longtime GM Steve Keim stepped down last week. Keim had signed a contract extension last spring but needed to take time away from the team in December due to health concerns.

The Cardinals also fired coach Kliff Kingsbury this month, and Ossenfort’s first task will be to work with owner Michael Bidwill on hiring his replacement.

“It was critically important for us to find the right person to lead us as General Manager and there is no doubt in my mind that we have that in Monti Ossenfort,” Bidwill said in a statement. “He possesses every attribute of a successful GM — passion, leadership, intelligence, work ethic — and his extensive experience has clearly prepared him for this role. We could not be more thrilled to have Monti and his family joining the Cardinals.”

Ossenfort also interviewed for the Titans’ own GM vacancy, created when they fired Jon Robinson in December.

–Field Level Media

Media members talk with Chris Ballard, general manager, Jim Irsay, owner, and new interim head coach Jeff Saturday, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, during a press conference at the Colts headquarters in Indianapolis.

Colts GM: QB tops lengthy offseason priority list

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Colts general manager Chris Ballard plans to interview multiple candidates for head coach in Indianapolis, including interim Jeff Saturday.

But his most important offseason objective was clear in his end-of-season press conference Tuesday: The Colts are ready to go all-in to find a quarterback.

Ballard was direct and self-deprecating Tuesday summarizing where the Colts stand after ending the season with seven consecutive losses and a 4-12-1 record. The Colts begin another January without a long-term answer under center, among other pressing concerns.

“I failed,” Ballard said, assessing where the team went wrong in 2022.

Frank Reich was fired as head coach Nov. 7 as the Colts installed Saturday directly from a job talking football in the ESPN NFL studio. Saturday played for the Colts during his career, including snapping to Peyton Manning for most of his career.

Reich had a 40-33-1 record in four-plus seasons and was 3-5-1 in 2022.

“We live in a world (in the NFL) where failure’s not allowed. When you fail in this world you get canceled and everybody wants your head,” Ballard said Tuesday. “And rightfully so in some cases. But if you’re able to go through it and learn from it, you can reach your greatest heights.”

Saturday won his first game, 25-20 at Las Vegas, but lost the next seven in a row.

He will be among the candidates the Colts will interview starting this week, Ballard confirmed. He also admitted owner Jim Irsay, who hand-picked Saturday as the interim coach, will have a heavy hand in any final decision at the position.

After finding a head coach, Ballard said he has to do “whatever it takes” to resolve the constant carousel at quarterback that has consumed the franchise since Andrew Luck retired in August 2019.

“You have to start at quarterback. When you’re changing quarterbacks every year, it’s tough,” he said. “It’s tough on the team.”

After trying stopgap options Jacoby Brissett (2019) and near-retirement Philip Rivers (2020), trades for Carson Wentz (2021) and Matt Ryan (2022) proved fruitless.

Ballard worked with Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles in the Kansas City Chiefs scouting department. He said Tuesday he won’t hesitate to make a move if the Colts, who pick fourth in the first round, feel the need to move up in the 2023 draft.

“We understand the magnitude of where we’re at in the draft,” Ballard said. “And we understand the importance of the position. To get one that you can win with and be right is the most important thing.”

–Field Level Media

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk laughs with Jeb Johnston as the team gets ready to face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nfl Jacksonville Jaguars At Tennessee Titans

Titans GM search focused on collaboration with coach Mike Vrabel

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General manager candidates for the Tennessee Titans’ vacancy must be ready to collaborate with head coach Mike Vrabel.

Owner Amy Adams Strunk began the search for Jon Robinson’s replacement in December. Robinson was fired Dec. 6.

“I’d like to have a GM as soon as possible, but we’re not going to rush the process just to get someone in as quickly as possible,” Strunk told the team’s website. The way we have it planned right now is we have two rounds, and we’re going to see where these interviews take us.”

Head coach Mike Vrabel’s job appears to be safe following a 7-10 finish.

The Titans used more players on their 53-man roster this season than any other team. With the division and a playoff spot on the line in Week 18, Tennessee started Josh Dobbs, who was signed off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on Dec. 21. The loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars ended the Titans’ three-year run as division champs.

Strunk said the team has an experienced individual working as a consultant as part of the search. The interview process eventually will include Vrabel’s input.

“We want someone who is an exceptional talent evaluator, exceptional at roster building, and someone who is an excellent decision-maker,” Strunk said. “I also want someone who is a collaborator, someone who is able to find and build consensus to get to the best answers for the team, someone who is open to innovation and evaluating talent beyond the traditional avenues. Just really a talented person in all areas. But more than anything I want someone that can collaborate – that is super important to me, being able to find this person who can collaborate so we’re all working together, rowing the same direction.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (L) talks with general manager Howie Roseman (R) before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Eagles GM Howie Roseman signs 3-year deal

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Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman agreed to a three-year contract extension, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Roseman, 46, was in the final year of his contract before signing the deal. He has held the role since 2010.

Roseman helped to build Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LII championship team, the first in franchise history.

The Eagles have won four NFC East titles and have been to the playoffs six times during his tenure.

Philadelphia holds 10 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft in April, including three in the first round.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; A view of the helmets of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) resting on equipment case on the sidelines against the Washington Football Team at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Giants hire Bills’ personnel man Joe Schoen as GM

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Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen was hired as GM of the New York Giants on Friday.

The Giants informed finalists Friday morning that a deal was close with Schoen, who is the first general manager for the franchise hired outside the organization since Ernie Accorsi in 1998.

“We are pleased and proud to name Joe as our general manager,” Giants president John Mara said. “Throughout our search, Joe impressed us with his ability to communicate a progressive and comprehensive vision for our team. His philosophy and collaborative approach to building a roster and coaching staff align with what we were looking for in a general manager.”

Schoen, the first to interview for the vacancy Jan. 12, won over Mara, chairman Steve Tisch and senior vice president of player personnel Chris Mara. Their second interview took place at team headquarters on Tuesday.

“Joe is the kind of exceptional leader we sought to oversee our football operations,” Tisch said. “We will do whatever it takes to support Joe’s vision and strategic plan for success. We are excited to begin this next chapter with Joe as our general manager.”

Schoen has 20 years of scouting and executive experience in the NFL, including the last five with the Bills. Before joining Buffalo in 2017 he spent most of the previous decade with the Miami Dolphins, including four years as the director of player personnel.

Schoen, 42, also worked with the Carolina Panthers (2001-07) under current Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

“It is an honor to accept the position of general manager of the New York Giants,” Schoen said. “I want to thank John Mara and Steve Tisch and their families for this tremendous opportunity. And obviously I am grateful to Brandon and the Bills for the experience I have had in Buffalo.

“Now, the work begins. My immediate focus is to hire a head coach, with who I will work in lockstep with to create a collaborative environment for our football operations. We will cast a wide net, it can be former head coaches, first-time head coaches but, more importantly, it has to be a person who possesses the ability to lead an organization and the ability to motivate and develop players.

“On the personnel side, we will begin to evaluate our roster and prepare for the draft and free agency. Our goal is to build a roster that will be competitive, have depth, and most importantly, win football games.”

Interviews for the head-coaching position are ongoing, with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn recently added to the list.

The Giants fired head coach Joe Judge after two seasons, including a 4-13 finish in 2021. General manager Dave Gettleman retired after the season.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Texans officially name Nick Caserio as GM

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Following two years without a general manager, the Houston Texans began reshaping their management structure in naming Nick Caserio as general manager on Thursday.

Caserio signed a six-year deal and faces immediate pressure to turn the franchise’s fortunes. The Texans went 4-12 last season and the assets to actively reload for the 2021 season are limited.

Fired head coach Bill O’Brien served as de facto general manager in 2019 and into 2020. During that time the Texans traded their 2021 first-round pick — which turned out to be the third overall selection — to the Miami Dolphins and sent All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick.

Caserio served as the de facto GM of the New England Patriots, yielding final say to head coach Bill Belichick, while running the player personnel department.

“On behalf of my wife Kathleen and our entire family, I’m very humbled and honored by this opportunity to be the general manager of the Houston Texans,” Caserio said. “We would like to thank Janice, Cal and Hannah McNair for their belief in us that we can build something special that embraces the accomplishments of the past and accepts the challenges in front of us in our desire to be best.

“This moment would not be possible without the support and guidance of those that have invested in me personally and professionally. We are forever grateful to the Kraft Family, Bill Belichick as well as the entire New England Patriots organization that has blessed our family in ways we can never repay. Our goal now is to serve the Texans organization and the Houston community by putting together a team that we all can be proud of on and off the field.”

In 2019, the Texans operated without a general manager after being accused of tampering by the Patriots around their interest in Caserio. Houston promised not to engage Caserio in 2020.

But as 2021 began, Caserio was among the candidates the Texans sought to interview, including ESPN’s Louis Riddick, Seattle Seahawks vice president of player personnel Trent Kirchner and Baltimore Ravens director of football research Scott Cohen, among others.

–Field Level Media