The New England Patriots’ vacant general manager job is the last high-end executive position left in the NFL, but according to a new report, it doesn’t seem like the team is in any rush to hire a candidate.
Director of scouting Eliot Wolf is reportedly making the personnel decisions, while Matt Groh has shifted his attention predominantly to college scouting.
There was a belief the team would leave everything in place after parting ways with Bill Belichick, and then they would open a search for a new general manager after the 2024 NFL draft. However, when speaking with sources leaguewide, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones is reporting there might not be a search.
Jones wrote:
There’s been some talk of the Patriots running a search after April’s draft, but sources leaguewide find that unlikely. Why allow the current group to chart the course of the future of the team (especially with the No. 3 overall pick) just to bring in a new leader shortly thereafter?
New on @NFLonCBS The Patriots don’t actually have to run a search for GM as long as they never actually name someone to that post. Sources leaguewide are dubious New England will actually run a search this year. https://t.co/etIfnHopwB
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 10, 2024
Keep in mind, the Patriots could simply promote Wolf to general manager, if things go well in free agency and the draft. This could end up being an unofficial tryout for the son of Hall of Fame general manager Ron Wolf.
The team would still have to interview two outside minority candidates, but there’s also the possibility that Eliot Wolf has been the man they’ve been eyeing for the job all along.
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