The Denver Broncos general manager job opening race is coming together. With the first round of interviews in the books, one candidate has gracefully retired from the race while two others have reshaped the favorites to win the job.
At the very least, this is according to one of the most titular broncos on the market. Woody Paige del Colorado Springs Newsletter – A multi-decade Denver expert with deep ties within the organization reports new information in the wake of the initial wave of interviews.
My outside NFL sources believe the GM will be George Paton or Champ Kelly, both of the NFC North teams, the Vikings and the Bears. Interestingly, the Broncos would be fighting lion patients for Paton and equally inept panthers for Kelly. All three dresses finished 5-11.
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Paige’s report departs from the latest recorded information he released on the subject last week, where he pointed to Kelly and New Orleans vice president Terry Fontenot as the club’s leaders. However, that was before the interviews.
Since then, Fontenot has 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 spot. It’s also worth mentioning that Fontenot’s availability to take over GM’s functions is still at least a week away, as the Saints defeated the Bears in the Super Wild Card round of the playoffs on Sunday.
Going back to Paige’s reports, the usual theme is Kelly. And with the Bears withdrawing from the playoffs, he’s suddenly available to take the GM if the Broncos offer it.
Still, don’t sleep in Paton. Viking staff turned down an interview with Carolina for the Panthers’ GM job in order to telegraph the Broncos their way to land the Mile High concert.
With Dave Ziegler leaning towards staying in New England, any of the last three outside candidates would be an exciting recruitment and would have more advantages than disadvantages. Kelly feels the obvious choice, especially considering her past ties to working in Denver, including a stretch under former GM John Elway.
But don’t be surprised if Paton gets the job. It would be the dark horse that few anticipated.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen i @MileHighHuddle.