49ers To Interview Packers’ Wolf, Gutekunst

After having fired Trent Baalke yesterday, the 49ers have already started their search for a new general manager. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), Packers executive Eliot Wolf will interview for the gig later this week. Eliot is the son of Ron Wolf, who won three Super Bowl titles as the general manager of the Raiders and Packers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the 49ers will also be interviewing Packers Director of College Scouting Brian Gutekunst.

Eliot Wolf Wolf has spent the past 13 seasons with the Packers organization, and he was promoted to the director of football operations prior to this season. According to the team’s website, Wolf’s “primary duties include coordinating the pro and college football departments as well as handling both college and pro player evaluation through film study, college visits, pro days, college all-star games and the NFL Scouting Combine. During the season, he is responsible for overseeing advance scouting of upcoming Packers opponents, evaluating potential free-agent signees and recommending player tryouts.”

As NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport recently pointed out, Wolf was expected to take over as Packers general manager whenever Ted Thompson decided to retire. Interviewing for the 49ers gig certainly wouldn’t prevent Wolf from taking a potential Packers job. In fact, he could be using the interview with San Francisco as leverage, although that’s only my speculation. Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com notes (via Twitter) that the Packers did not give permission for Wolf to take interviews last offseason.

Gutekunst has been with the Packers organization for the past 18 years. Prior to his current role, Gutekunst served as a college scout. The executive also has experience as a coach.

The 49ers aren’t necessarily competing with other organizations for general manager interviews, as they’re currently the only NFL team with an opening. Earlier today, the team reached out to the Chiefs with the hope that they could interview executive Chris Ballard. According to Rapoport on Twitter, Ballard is not interested in taking an interview with the 49ers.

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