At first glance, it appears that there are currently five general manager vacancies in the NFL, with the Carolina Panthers creating the latter. But in reality, there are six.
Sources say the Washington Football Team is planning to hire a GM when the season ends, a continuation of the plans that began when coach Ron Rivera was hired. The process will begin in earnest when the season ends, but expect an accelerated search.
Players team vice president Kyle Smith has worked alongside Rivera since he was hired, handling assessments and moves, while Rivera had the final say. It seems that Washington will seek a more experienced voice.
Among the names to be considered and interviewed: ex-Texas GM Rick Smith, 49ers player vice president of players Martin Mayhew and ex-Panthers GM Marty Hurney, among many others.
Rivera was asked this week, after Hurney’s resignation in Carolina, about a possible reunion between the two who worked together for years with the Panthers.
“I am not going to talk about our situation at GM,” Rivera said. “All of these things, these personal things, will be dealt with after the season is over. We are focusing on the playoff race.”