There could be several NFL franchises looking to chart a new direction this offseason, with a new general manager at the helm.
Some inside league circles have suggested that this could be an even more frenetic hiring cycle for general managers than in recent memory, rivaling the kind of turnover that is typically seen among head coaches.
Already, the Las Vegas Raiders are in the market for a new general manager, after relieving David Ziegler of his duties, alongside head coach Josh McDaniels, even as the NFL trade deadline loomed.
Even with half a season remaining, some owners across the league could be at least wrangling with the idea of blowing out the front office and rebuilding anew. Which teams join the Raiders in search of a new general manager this coming winter remain to be seen. But, there are some top executives around the league who have a good chance of becoming a team's next general manager in 2024. Here's a look at the top names to keep an eye on:
Adam Peters, Assistant GM, San Francisco 49ers
General manager John Lynch and staff have built a juggernaut, on both sides of the football, both via stringing together a series of strong draft classes and aggressively adding top-tier talent both via free agency and the trade market. Peters has been instrumental in helping build out a roster, alongside Lynch, that has made it to a Super Bowl and a pair of NFC Championship Games while remaining among the leaders in the race for the Lombardi this season, as well. Credited with identifying and selecting multiple Day 3 draft picks emerging as key contributors, Peters has proved vital to Lynch and Kyle Shanahan's success in San Francisco. Peters has interviewed for the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants general manager roles the past two years, and remains one of the more highly regarded personnel evaluators across the league.
Dave Caldwell, Senior Personnel Director, Philadelphia Eagles
Dave Caldwell would offer an organization the potent combination of working alongside one of the most successful general managers in recent memory, along with prior experience as a general manager that includes building a roster that made a run to the AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars' general manager from 2013 through 2020, Caldwell was hired by Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and has helped construct one of the league's deepest and most talented rosters. Over the past three years, the Eagles have made a run to the postseason, a Super Bowl appearance, and currently sit atop the NFC. Caldwell's experience as a team-builder in Jacksonville, along with his contributions alongside Roseman helping turn the Eagles into perennial contenders could make him an attractive option this offseason.
Andy Weidl, Assistant GM, Pittsburgh Steelers
There aren't many executives in the entire league who have had the opportunity to learn from, and work alongside three of the most successful and well respected general managers in the spot, but, Andy Weidl certainly does. Weidl cut his teeth under legendary former executive Ozzie Newsome with the Baltimore Ravens, before becoming an instrumental piece of the Philadelphia Eagles' front office, under Roseman, and ultimately coming full circle to where his career first began by landing in Pittsburgh as Omar Khan's assistant general manager. This season, Pittsburgh continues to find ways to win, quarterback Kenny Pickett is beginning to make some strides, and both could raise Weidl's profile as the upcoming hiring cycle kicks into gear.
Trey Brown, Senior Personnel Executive, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati has built an embarrassment of elite and explosive talent on both sides of the football, while ascending into the role of perennial Super Bowl contenders with Joe Burrow at quarterback. Brown has spent time in the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles front offices, where he honed his eye for talent. Last offseason, Brown took part in the NFL's Front Office Accelerator Program, which could further boost his profile in league circles, as a rising general manager candidate.
Lance Newmark, Director of Player Personnel, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are one of the hottest teams in the league over the past two seasons, and over that time have built one of the NFL's most exciting young rosters. Newmark is a 28-year veteran of the Lions' front office, but his rise to Senior Director of Player Personnel alongside second-year general manager Brad Holmes has coincided with this new era of success in Detroit. While it's always difficult to ascertain who is responsible for identifying which members of a draft class, mid-to-late round draft picks such as Kerby Joseph, James Houston have developed into key contributors for the Lions, who have also picked Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, among others at the top of the board to make up this team's new core. A franchise looking to replicate the success of the Lions' turnaround, especially with an eye on rebuilding through the draft could see Newmark as a top candidate.
Brandon Brown, Assistant GM, New York Giants
In personnel circles, Brandon Brown is viewed as a rising star. At just 33 years of age, Brown has ascended into the No. 2 role, under Joe Schoen, and was one of Schoen's first hires upon landing with the Giants in 2022. Brown helps oversee all aspects of the Giants' personnel department, giving him a wealth of experience in terms of roster development, college scouting, and free agent evaluations. Prior to arriving in East Rutherford, Brown served as a scouting director under Roseman in Philadelphia. Brown is so highly regarded, that he even interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings general manager job before being hired by Schoen and the Giants. A team looking for a fresh young voice with an abundance of versatile experience could make hiring Brown a top priority.
