Five Candidates Emerging For Lions’ GM Position?

Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that the Lions plan to consult the NFL’s career development advisory panel to aid their search for a general manager.

This panel consists of former NFL executives and coaches including Charlie Casserly, Ernie Accorsi, Tony Dungy, Dennis Green, James Harris, Mike Holmgren, John Madden, Carl Peterson, Bill Polian and Ron Wolf.

This group has reportedly met twice this fall and has another two meetings scheduled after Weeks 12 and 16.

According to Pelissero, there are five names already on this list of GM candidates who are likely to be considered for GM openings next year. The list includes:

• Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard
• Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta
• Vikings assistant GM George Paton
• Jaguars director of player personnel Chris Polian
• Packers director of player personnel Eliot Wolf

Other executives believed to be on the list include Browns vice president of player personnel Morocco Brown and Redskins vice president of football administration/general counsel Eric Schaffer.

Detroit fired GM Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand a few weeks ago and promoted Sheldon White to interim GM.

Considering that Mayhew was an interim GM before taking over on a full-term basis, it’s likely that the Lions will open this search up and hire outside of the organization.

We’ll have more regarding The Lions’ GM search as the news is available.