49ers Closing In On Naming New GM, Packers Exec. Brian Gutekunst Considered A “Front-Runner”

Update:

According to Albert Breer, Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan, who is widely considered to be the favorite for the 49ers’ head-coaching position, could have input on who the next GM of the team will be.

• Breer adds that Packers player personnel director Brian Gutekunst is considered to be a “front-runner” for the 49ers’ GM job.
• Ian Rapoport has heard the same as Breer but adds that Cardinals executive Terry McDonough and the two Seahawks executives — Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer — are both worth watching for the job.

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Alex Marvez of the Sporting News reports that the 49ers are “honing in on” hiring their next general manager and they plan to set up interviews with finalists this week.

• Sources have told Marvez that there’s a chance the 49ers will hire a GM without prior experience working with one of their head-coaching candidates.
• Matt Maiocco hears that GM candidate Terry McDonough wanted to hire Kyle Shanahan as his head coach from the beginning.

Earlier in the day, Marvez mentioned that while he can’t say he’s the front-runner for the 49ers’ GM position, sources have told him that there’s “positive buzz” about Packers player personnel director Brian Gutekunst following his interview with the team.

It will be interesting to see who gets follow-up interviews with the 49ers, as it should give us a good idea of the 49ers’ plans for the head-coaching vacancy.

The 49ers reportedly have their sights set on Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan for their head-coaching job now that Josh McDaniels has elected to remain with the Patriots. Seahawks assistant HC Tom Cable is still in the running for the job and could paired with one of the two Seattle executives if the 49ers want to go that route.

The full list of GM candidates for the 49ers’ position include:

• Vikings assistant GM George Paton 
• Colts vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III
• Packers executive Eliot Wolf 
• Packers Director of college scouting Brian Gutekunst
• ESPN analyst Louis Riddick
• Seahawks execs Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer
• Cardinals VP of player personnel Terry McDonough

We’ll have more regarding the 49ers’ GM position as the news is available.