Denver Broncos favorites for GM are now reportedly George Paton and Champ Kelly

The race for the Denver Broncos general manager position is consolidating. With the first round of interviews in the books, one candidate gracefully retired from the contest, while two others reorganized the favorites to win the job.

At least, this is according to one of the most experienced Broncos insiders on the market. Woody Paige’s Colorado Springs Gazette – a multi-decade insider in Denver, with deep ties within the organization, is reporting new information after the initial wave of interviews.

My outside NFL sources believe the GM will be either George Paton or Champ Kelly, both of the NFC North teams – the Vikings and the Bears. Interestingly, the Broncos would be battling the suffering Lions by Paton and the equally inept Panthers by Kelly. The three clothes ended at 5-11.

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Paige’s report is a departure from the last official information he gave on the subject last week, when he singled out Kelly and New Orleans VP Terry Fontenot as the club’s leaders. However, this was before the interviews.

Fontenot has since paved the way for GM’s opening with the Atlanta Falcons and is being reported as one of the “two or three” final candidates for the job. It is also worth mentioning that Fontenot’s availability to assume the role of GM is still at least a week away, as the Saints defeated Bears in the playoffs Super Wild Card round on Sunday.

Going back to Paige’s account, the common theme is Kelly. And with Bears being kicked out of the playoffs, he is suddenly available to take the GM if the Broncos offered it.

However, don’t sleep on Paton. The Vikings ‘personal expert rejected an interview with Carolina for the Panthers’ GM position in order to telegraph the Broncos with their desire to get the show at Mile High.

With Dave Ziegler resigning from staying in New England, any of the last three outside candidates would be an exciting hiring and would come with more pros than cons. Kelly seems like the obvious choice, especially considering her previous ties to work in Denver, including a period under former GM John Elway.

But don’t be surprised if Paton gets the job. He would be the black horse that few predicted.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.

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