Vikings block division rival Packers from interviewing GM candidate
Vikings block division rival Packers from interviewing GM candidate!
With the first round BYE through the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs, there are a handful of candidates within the walls of Winter Park who are interviewing for coaching vacancies throughout the league. We've seen George Edwards interview with candidates, Pat Shurmur with candidates, both of which even interviewed for vacancies within the division at Chicago and Detroit.
But then this happened...
The Packers ousted GM Ted Thompson after the season this year and according to Adam Schefter they requested permission to interview Vikings assistant General Manager George Paton for their GM vacancy...BUT THE VIKINGS DECLINED!
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
Its their prerogative as an organization, I don't blame them. Paton has had PLENTY of interest the last few years and has turned it all down.
If there is one clear succession in the Vikings front office, to me its Paton backfilling RS one day.
@"purplefaithful" said: If there is one clear succession in the Vikings front office, to me its Paton backfilling RS one day.they arent that far apart in age. Rick is only 55 and Paton has to be in his late 40s. Rick may walk away younger than some, but I have my doubts its coming anytime soon.
Paton is seen as one of the reasons for the Vikings’ success in building up their current roster, which earned the second seed in the NFC despite starting backup quarterback Case Keenum for most of the season.
Although this interview will not take place, it does illustrate that Mark Murphy is at least serious about talking to candidates from outside the organization. Internal candidates — Gutekunst, Russ Ball, and Eliot Wolf — remain the safest bet to take over for Ted Thompson, but this suggests that there is at least a legitimate effort to talk to individuals outside the building about the vacancy.
Although NFL teams cannot bar members of their front offices from interview for GM positions during the offseason, ESPN’s Jason Wilde clarified that the Vikings can do so for the time being because their season remains in progress. If the Packers’ position remains open once the Vikings’ season is over, it would be possible for the team to do so without the permission of their rival.
Stay tuned for more updates about the GM search.
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2018/1/5/16854238/vikings-refused-packers-request-to-interview-assistant-gm-george-paton-per-report
Back in September one of the yappers on NFL Network said that he was hearing whispers that the Vikings front office was the envy of the NFL. This conversation centered around George Paton, but with supportive, hands-off ownership, a state of the art new stadium, a team of professionals who landed a Super Bowl in the upper midwest, state of the art practice facilities, exceptional draft and free agent classes the last few years, a 13-3 record, 3 QBs who would be starting on half the teams in the NFL, the Sloter coup, and 60M under the cap, it might not sound as crazy as it did then.
Geoff, any insight to this. Perhaps Mr. Patton declined, so the Vikings just denied the request. He has declined interviews in the past.
@"FessVike" said: Geoff, any insight to this. Perhaps Mr. Patton declined, so the Vikings just denied the request. He has declined interviews in the past.Yes. It does not seem fair that they would deny the man a chance at a promotion. I guess because it is in the division but why let the Bears and Lions interview the coordinators?
What they have built here is pretty rare. A foundation for a window that should remain open for 2-4 years. Who would want to leave after all of the work it took to get here?
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.