Tag: general manager

Chiefs GM Brett Veach says re-signing Chris Jones, L’Jarius Sneed is ‘top of the list’

#Chiefs general manager Brett Veach says re-signing stars Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed is on ‘top of the list’ of his priorities.

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their much-anticipated Super Bowl LVIII matchup with the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday. The prospect of adding another title hasn’t stalled the mindset of retaining critical stars during the offseason.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been criticized and praised often throughout his tenure. The moves he’s made or didn’t make have been closely judged publicly, and still, his team is one win away from back-to-back titles and three over the last five years. Veach made an essential declaration on Thursday regarding two of the franchise’s star players entering free agency in the offseason.

“Sometimes I look at our situation, and I’m like, ‘I don’t know how we’re going to do this,’ but we usually work through things systematically and have a list of the priorities,” Veach said during his conversation with ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “Certainly, Chris (Chris Jones) and LJ (L’Jarius Sneed) are at the top of the list…” It’s extremely hard because you have two keystone players there.”

Veach sounds optimistic with the target goal of keeping multiple-time Pro Bowler Chris Jones regardless of the issues he encountered last off-season that led to his holdout. This season, Sneed was considered a snub for both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, becoming an invaluable part of the secondary matching up against opposing teams’ best players.

Broncos would like to acquire more picks through trades

The Broncos would like to acquire more picks head of the NFL draft. They will be a team to watch when trade buzz heats up this spring.

With the NFL draft three months out, the Denver Broncos currently hold six picks. The Broncos are not expected to receive any compensatory picks this year, so the only way for Denver to add more selections would be via trade.

Broncos general manager George Paton has indicated in past offseasons that he likes to go into a draft with 10 picks, but that’s not always feasible. After trading for coach Sean Payton in 2023 and quarterback Russell Wilson in 2022, Denver only ended up adding five players last year.

Two years ago, the Broncos made nine picks. Three years ago — Paton’s first year on the job — Denver made 10 picks.

“We’re picking high, and we have six picks,” Paton said during the team’s end-of-season press conference last week. “We could have more. You know we like picks. We’ll go from there.”

Paton did not directly say the Broncos will make trades, but that’s understandable given that nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. It’s clear that Denver would like to make trades.

The team would probably love to trade quarterback Russell Wilson, but it might be hard to find a trade partner for him. More realistic trade candidates are wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. If the Broncos want to go all-in on a rebuilding phase with young players on rookie contracts, players like left tackle Garett Bolles and safety Justin Simmons might be trade candidates as well.

The NFL’s new league year won’t begin until March and trades can’t officially happen before then (but teams can make handshake agreements in the meantime). Another big date to watch is the NFL draft — Denver has been active with draft-day trades during Paton’s tenure.

As the NFL offseason heats up in the coming weeks, keep an eye on the Broncos as a team looking to acquire more draft picks.

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Social media reacts to Chargers hiring Joe Hortiz as general manager

The Chargers hired Joe Hortiz as their new GM. Here’s how Twitter reacted.

Joe Hortiz is the new general manager of the Chargers.

Social media has been quick to give Los Angeles kudos for the hire.

Let’s take a look at what is being said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chiefs GM Brett Veach calls QB Patrick Mahomes ‘a blessing’ for the franchise

Kansas City #Chiefs GM Brett Veach calls quarterback Patrick Mahomes ‘a blessing’ for the franchise.

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to their fourth Super Bowl in five seasons, adding another exciting chapter to the team’s growing dynasty. It was a triumphant moment for everyone involved with the franchise, especially in the front office, making decisions for the personnel on the field.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is often praised and criticized weekly for the team’s performance, considering he is one of the architects of the roster. He handles it well daily but doesn’t appreciate spectators or opponents not having faith in his franchise quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

Veach spoke about his appreciation for Mahomes being the face of the franchise during the AFC Championship postgame press conference.

“It’s a blessing that he’s part of this organization. He’s the best, and I try to describe a player like him because of everything he does,” said Veach. “He gives everyone that belief and hope that doesn’t matter what the odds are and where we’re playing and where we’re going. If we have ’15’ (Patrick Mahomes) under center, we have a shot. So it’s really hard to explain someone that good, but he’s the best.”

Mahomes shredded the Baltimore secondary mainly in the first half, finishing the game 30-39 for 241 yards and a touchdown, securing his fourth trip to the Super Bowl. During the postseason, various forms of criticism have been thrown at the reigning league MVP regarding his lack of experience in road games and other picky moments that Veach doesn’t understand.

“I’m not sure why anyone would do that and throw shade at him like that because he’s gonna give you his best shot anyway.” said Veach, “So there’s no need to poke the bear. But if they want to do it, we certainly appreciate it.”

The Chiefs will seek back-to-back Super Bowl titles in two weeks in Las Vegas as they remember being in this position during the 2020 season. The result at that time was falling short to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they went into this contest knowing they would genuinely have a neutral field.

Broncos GM George Paton knows ‘exactly’ what Sean Payton wants in a prospect

“We know exactly what he wants at each position,” Broncos GM George Paton said of scouting for coach Sean Payton in Year 2.

Going into his second offseason with head coach Sean Payton, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton now has a better understanding of what Payton looks for in a draft prospect.

The Broncos hold six draft picks this year, including 12th overall in the first round. Denver’s continuity this offseason will make life easier for Paton and the team’s scouts.

“It’s going to be huge,” Paton said when asked if it’s easier to scout for prospects with a returning coach. “We’ve had three coaches in three years. It’s hard on the building, and it is hard on the scouts. [We’ve had] new coaches coming in and out. Sean does a great job of describing the vision he wants for each position. The scouts have an idea, and the scouts are experts because Sean and the coaches talk so much about players and what they are looking for in players.

“Last year at this time, we were looking for a coach, but we feel like we have a big jump on the offseason because of [Payton returning]. We know exactly what he wants at each position, both on offense and defense. Vance [Joseph] does a great job of articulating, as well, with his staff. We feel like we have a head start.”

Paton knows exactly what Payton wants in a prospect, including quarterback prospects. So, will the Broncos target at QB at No. 12?

“Quarterback is a little different, but I do know what Sean is looking for in a quarterback,” Paton said. “We’ll see.”

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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Panthers pass over Khai Harley to fill general manager position

The Panthers hired an internal candidate in Dan Morgan, not Saints executive Khai Harley, as their next general manager:

It looks like Khai Harley will be staying with the New Orleans Saints — the Carolina Panthers promoted an internal candidate to their general manager position after interviewing him, naming Dan Morgan to the post. Morgan had worked as their assistant general manager since 2021 and previously played for the Panthers as a Pro Bowl linebacker, though he finished his career with the Saints before retiring in 2009.

Carolina was the only reported interview request for Harley in this year’s cycle thus far, so unless another suitor emerges it’s safe to assume he’ll be staying in New Orleans. And that’s big news for the Saints front office. Harley’s management of the salary cap and knowledge of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement are indispensable resources.

He might be their future general manager, too. Speculation has swirled that longtime GM Mickey Loomis could step into a more hands-off role with the Saints someday, and while he said that may not happen in the near future, it isn’t something he would rule out altogether. If Loomis does vacate his seat then Harley would be a natural successor. But that’s a long ways off. For now Harley will be responsible for keeping the books in order and doing his part to help the Saints field a competitive team on Sundays.

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Broncos are too collaborative for one ‘final say’ on roster decisions

“We would not bring in a player that Sean [Payton] and I didn’t agree upon,” Broncos GM George Paton said.

When the Denver Broncos hired Sean Payton as head coach last year, there was some speculation that he would have the final say on roster decisions over general manager George Paton.

Payton and Paton both said last spring that they would have a “collaborative” working relationship that would not necessitate one having the final say.

The coach and GM have now gone through a full offseason of free agency and the draft and Paton maintains that neither has the final say on roster decisions.

“That hasn’t come up, and it certainly does not come up with Sean,” Paton said during his end-of-season press conference. “He’s so collaborative. We would not bring in a player that Sean and I didn’t agree upon.

“We wouldn’t bring in a player that two coaches probably [did not agree upon, or] a coach and a scout. We dissect it, and we get into it. We do deep dives. It has not really come up in my career very often, but it certainly hasn’t come up with Sean being here.”

Payton knows what he wants in a player as a coach, and Paton knows how to search for players as a former scout. It wouldn’t make sense for Paton to recommend a player that does not fit Payton’s scheme, so the GM’s comments about collaboration are certainly believable.

Paton and Payton are now set to enter their second offseason together this spring. Free agency begins in March and the draft will follow in April.

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Broncos moving forward with George Paton as GM

“I think George [Paton] can help us build a winning roster here,” Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner said.

After the Denver Broncos benched Russell Wilson, some outlets (including Broncos Wire) speculated that general manager George Paton could be on the hot seat. That was not the case.

Paton worked well with coach Sean Payton in 2023, according to accounts from both Paton and Payton.

“We’ve had a really good working relationship from the beginning,” Payton said last week. “All that has gone well. We communicate two, three, four times per day. That’s worked out really well.”

Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner, who has the final say, was pleased with the team’s coach/GM duo in Year 1.

“It’s been a year now, and I thought it worked really well, especially the partnership between Sean and George,” Penner said. “That relationship between head coach and GM is critical. I was impressed with the way that they handled going from free agency to the draft.

“It was great to see a number of young players that George and his staff had drafted previously step up and play key roles. I thought there was improvement this year, and I think George can help us build a winning roster here.”

Clearly, Paton isn’t going anywhere, at least not anytime soon. Payton undoubtedly has a big say in the team’s roster moves, particularly in free agency, but Paton is a former scout with several notable draft hits on his resume. By all accounts, he works well with Payton, and that’s key. Paton is now set to enter Year 4 as Denver’s GM.

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Mickey Loomis shoots down rumor, says he isn’t stepping down as GM

Mickey Loomis shoots down rumor, says he isn’t stepping down or changing his title as Saints general manager and executive vice president:

Forget what you read on social media: Mickey Loomis isn’t going anywhere. The New Orleans Saints general manager and executive vice president was asked about a rumor going around in fan communities online that he would be moving to a different role in the organization, freeing up one of his top assistants to succeed him as general manager.

And Loomis dismissed it as just that: a rumor.

“Somebody just made that up,” Loomis said. “That’s never been discussed or talked about.”

Loomis added that he could wake up one day and feel differently about his place in the organization, but as of now the course is set. He’ll remain in place as the team’s top decision-maker both in title and in practice.

That’s all happening in the wake of interview requests from other teams hoping to poach talent from the Saints’ front office. Loomis acknowledged that assistant general managers Khai Harley and Jeff Ireland were sought out by the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively, and he added that pro personnel director Michael Parenton is someone else he regards highly within their organization. Harley manages the salary cap, and Ireland covers the college scouting department, and there’s a chance both of them leave town in the near future.

That would be a mistake. Loomis might be the longest-tenured general manager in the league but he doesn’t have much to show for it without Sean Payton and Drew Brees. His Saints teams have gone a combined 44-54 from 2002 to 2005 and 2022 to 2023, before and after Payton was leading them. A lot was made of Loomis guiding the Saints to 200-plus career wins this season but Payton takes credit for 152 of them (and Super Bowl XLIV).

Losing talented executives like Ireland and Harley to protect Loomis’ job security is, well, laughable. But Loomis was all laughs at his end-of-year press conference on Wednesday. He isn’t going anywhere until he’s good and ready, and he took this opportunity to remind everyone watching that he’s in control here. Ownership won’t force him out, and he isn’t about to give up his title to benefit someone else. He wants to prove he can win without Payton. If that means standing by a coach like Dennis Allen, well — good luck.

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Coach and GM roundup: Commanders hire ex-Broncos scout as GM

Adam Peters worked his way up from scout to director of college scouting with the Broncos before joining the 49ers. He is now a GM in DC.

As we wait for word on any coaching staff changes for the Denver Broncos, other teams across the league have been busy making moves.

The Washington Commanders recently hired ex-Broncos executive Adam Peters as their new general manager. Peters joined Denver’s staff in 2009 and he worked his way up from scout to director of college scouting before being hired by the San Francisco 49ers as vice president of player personnel in 2017. Peters served as an assistant GM with the Niners from 2021-2023.

Elsewhere, the New Orleans Saints have fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who worked under Broncos coach Sean Payton in New Orleans from 2006-2021. Joe Lombardi currently holds the OC job in Denver.

Meanwhile, in the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders are both seeking new head coaches and general managers.

The most notable coach candidate the Chargers have interviewed is Jim Harbaugh (who was a candidate for Denver last year). ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes Los Angeles is targeting Harbaugh as “their guy.”

The Chargers also set up a head coach interview with Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who coached in Denver from 2010-2015.

The Raiders are also said to have interest in Harbaugh, but it sounds like interim coach Antonio Pierce is a strong candidate to get the full-time job. On the GM front, Las Vegas’ list of candidates includes Broncos executive Kelly Kleine Van Calligan, who joined Denver’s staff in 2021.

If the Raiders hire Van Calligan as their new GM, the Broncos would be awarded a pair of third-round compensatory draft picks (one in 2024 and in 2025) as part of the NFL’s Rooney Rule that rewards teams for developing minority executives and coaches.

In addition to the Chargers and Raiders, the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and Commanders are also seeking new coaches this offseason. The most notable candidates available are Harbaugh, Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel.

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