Vikings Exec. George Paton As GM The Favorite For 49ers’ GM Job

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Vikings executive George Paton is considered to be the favorite for the 49ers general manager position.

• Around The NFL originally tweeted that the 49ers were “expected” to hire Paton as GM but have since changed their post to say he’s just the “favorite.”

According to Rapoport, Paton is expected to meet with the 49ers and soon-to-be head coach Kyle Shanahan next week and if the two sides determine that they’re a good fit, it’s expected that San Francisco will offer Paton the job.

The 49ers are down to two candidates for the job after Packers executives Brian Gutekunst and Eliot Wolf both withdrew from their GM search in recent days and signed new contracts with the Packers.

This was interesting considering that Gutekunst was considered by many to be the favorite to get the job. However, some have speculated that the 49ers may be willing to give Shanahan control of the 53-man roster, which may have led to the two Packers’ executives withdrawing from contention for the GM job.

Cardinals executive Terry McDonough is still in play for the job, but Rapoport makes it seem like it’s Paton’s job to lose right now.

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