Packers GM Rumors

Here’s a running list of reports and rumors pertaining to the Packers’ GM search. Be sure to check back for the latest updates.

Interviews:

• Packers VP football administration/player finance Russ Ball. (Interviewed)
• Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf. (Interviewed)
• Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst. (Interviewed)
• Former Bills GM Doug Whaley. (Scheduled)
• Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta.

Latest:

• Rob Demovsky of ESPN mentions that Seahawks GM John Schneider would be the “preferred choice” of many in the Packers’ organization including the scouting department and HC Mike McCarthy. Multiple sources have told Demovsky that Schneider would be “very interested” in running his hometown team.
• As for the Packers’ GM interviews, Rob Demovsky says that Brian Gutekunst and Eliot Wolf both were impressive in their interviews, but Gutekunst holds a “slight edge” over Wolf. Devmosky admits Russ Ball is still considered the “leading candidate” for the job.
• According to Jason Wilde, while multiple reports have pegged Russ Ball as the favorite for the Packers’ GM position, a league source told him that Ball “isn’t the slam-dunk some people seem to think he is.”
• Tom Silverstein points out that the Packers could make the case Seahawks GM John Schneider is not a “high-level” employee based on the fact that HC Pete Carroll has considerable authority with the team and over personnel. Although, Silverstein admits that it seems unlikely Packers president Mark Murphy would want to ruffle feathers. An alternative option would be to discuss a trade.
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers submitted a request to interview Seahawks GM John Schneider for their GM vacancy but were denied.
• Albert Breer reports that the Packers are scheduled to interview former Bills GM Doug Whaley for their GM position Saturday.
• Peter Schrager hears that VP football administration/player finance Russ Ball is the favorite for the Packers’ GM job.
• Jim Trotter reports that Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie actually declined a request to interview for the Packers’ GM position.
• According to Bob McGinn, it looks like the Packers will hire Russ Ball as their GM and Briant Gutekunst as their executive vice president. McGinn adds that this sets up a situation where HC Mike McCarthy will have to decide whether he wants to continue coaching the Packers or not.
• Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Packers are trying to schedule an interview with Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta for their GM position.
• Adam Schefter reports that the Packers have requested permission to interview Vikings assistant GM George Paton for their GM job, but Minnesota declined the request.
• The Packers are interviewing Director of Player Personnel Brian Gutekunst for their GM vacancy on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport.
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers are interviewing director of football operations Eliot Wolf on Thursday for their GM positions.
• According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal, “there is a preponderance of opinion” inside the Packers organization that a decision was made months ago between president Mark Murphy and GM Ted Thompson that Russ Ball will be the team’s next general manager. Hiring Ball would be a shift in strategy from the model that started their string of success, given that he doesn’t have a background in personnel like Thompson and Ron Wolf. Silverstein says that Ball being hired “seems preordained” and several current and former personnel executives fully expect him to get the job. Interestingly enough, Silverstein says that Murphy decided to hire Jed Hughes of Korn Ferry to consult on external candidates, but Hughes only accepts just one job a year and he’s already working with the Texans, which means it’s unlikely that Green Bay will make a splash hire.
• According to Ian Rapoport, former Bills GM Doug Whaley is expected to draw interest for the Packers’ GM position. Whaley previously interviewed for the Browns’ GM job before they hired John Dorsey.
• Adam Schefter reports that the Packers are expected to begin their GM search by interviewing internal candidates Russ Ball, Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst. According to Schefter, Green Bay would like to wrap up their GM search by next week.
• Albert Breer reports that the Packers have retained a search firm to help with their GM hire. The plan is still for president Mark Murphy to lead the search with the firm consulting.
• An NFL source tells Rob Demovsky that the Packers GM position is a “top-three job” in the NFL: “It’s a top-three job in the league. You look for stability. That’s what you have in Green Bay.” Meanwhile, an agent added that he actually thinks it’s the best job to have: “It’s the best job in the NFL. Two reasons: No owner and Aaron Rodgers.”
• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Packers VP football administration/player finance Russ Ball has become a respected member of the front office based on his negotiation skills. According to Florio, the belief is that Ball and president Mark Murphy have a close relationship, which could lead to Ball emerging as the team’s next GM. Florio adds that personnel executives Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst have been taking interviews for recent GM positions, possibly knowing or sensing that Ball is next in line for the Packers’ GM job.
• Mike Silver mentions that cap specialist Russ Ball can’t be counted out for the Packers’ GM position.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that if the Packers were to hire Russ Ball, they would risk losing Eliot Wolf, Brian Gutekunst, and Alonzo Highsmith. However, if Green Bay was to choose one of the three personnel executives, they’re less likely to lose the other two executives, according to Silverstein. One layer to going outside of the organization to find their next GM is that the next whoever they hire may not be as supportive in regards to keeping HC Mike McCarthy.
• Chris Mortensen confirms the news and adds that Packers president Mark Murphy will lead the reorganization and define new roles for their current front office executives.
• Jason La Canfora reports that some within the Packers believe Brian Gutekunst will emerge as top in-house GM candidate.
• Mike Florio mentions that while Eliot Wolf will likely emerge as a candidate for the Packers’ GM job, there has been a sense lately that he may end up moving on before he gets an opportunity with Green Bay.
• Florio adds that former Packers executives John Schneider (Seahawks GM) and Reggie McKenzie (Raiders GM) are worth at least keeping an eye, depending on how things play out in the coming weeks.
• Matt Miller tweets that based on what he’s heard the last month, he’s not sure the Packers will promote Eliot Wolf to GM.
• Packers executives Russ Ball and Alonzo Highsmith should also be considered for the position.