2022 NFL General Manager Search Tracker
Along with the head coaches being fired, a few NFL teams are looking for new general managers. Listed below are the GM candidates that have been linked to each of the teams with vacancies, along with their current status.
If and when other teams decide to make GM changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here is the current breakdown:
Updated 5-24-22 (9:03pm CT)
Chicago Bears
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, vice president of football operations (Browns): Interviewed 1/13
- Morocco Brown, director of college scouting (Colts): Interviewed 1/24
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers): Interview requested
- Glenn Cook, vice president of player personnel (Browns): Interviewed 1/12
- Ed Dodds, vice president of player personnel (Colts): Interview requested
- Jeff Ireland, assistant general manager (Saints): Interviewed 1/14
- Champ Kelly, assistant director of player personnel (Bears): Interviewed 1/13
- Omar Khan, vice president of football and business administration (Steelers): Interviewed 1/24
- Reggie McKenzie, senior personnel executive (Dolphins): Interview requested
- Monti Ossenfort, director of player personnel (Titans): Second interview requested
- Ryan Poles, director of player personnel (Chiefs): Hired
- Joe Schoen, assistant general manager (Giants): Interviewed 1/16
- Rick Smith, former general manager (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
- Eliot Wolf, senior consultant (Patriots): Second interview requested
- JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel (Chargers): Interview requested
Las Vegas Raiders
- Trey Brown, scout (Bengals): Interviewed 1/21
- Ed Dodds, vice president of player personnel (Colts): Interviewed 1/26
- Brandon Hunt, pro scouting director (Steelers): Interviewed 1/25
- Dwayne Joseph, director of pro personnel (Raiders): To interview
- Champ Kelly, assistant director of player personnel (Bears): Interviewed 1/20
- John Spytek, vice president of player personnel (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Ruston Webster, senior personnel executive (Falcons): Interviewed 1/26
- Dave Ziegler, director of player personnel (Patriots): Hired
Minnesota Vikings
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, vice president of football operations (Browns): Hired
- Brandon Brown, director of player personnel (Eagles): Interviewed 1/18
- Glenn Cook, vice president of player personnel (Browns): Interviewed 1/20
- Monti Ossenfort, director of player personnel (Titans): Interviewed 1/16
- Ryan Poles, director of player personnel (Chiefs): Planned second interview 1/26
- Catherine Raiche, vice president of football operations (Eagles): Interviewed 1/17
- John Spytek, vice president of player personnel (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/17
- Eliot Wolf, senior consultant (Patriots): Interviewed 1/20
New York Giants
- Kevin Abrams, assistant general manager (Giants):Mentioned as candidate; interest waning?
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers):Interviewed 1/17
- Ryan Cowden, vice president of player personnel (Titans):Interviewed 1/14
- Quentin Harris, vice president of player personnel (Cardinals):Interviewed 1/13
- Joe Hortiz, director or player personnel (Ravens):Interviewed 1/15
- Monti Ossenfort, director of player personnel (Titans):Interviewed 1/14
- Adam Peters, assistant general manager (49ers):Conducted second interview 1/20
- Ryan Poles, executive director of player personnel (Chiefs):Conducted second interview 1/19
- Joe Schoen, assistant general manager (Bills): Hired
- Adrian Wilson, vice president of pro personnel (Cardinals):Interviewed 1/12; “close” to being hired by Jaguars?
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Morocco Brown, college scouting director (Colts): Interviewed
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers): Interviewed
- Ryan Cowden, vice president of player personnel (Titans): Conducted second interview
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interviewed 2/4
- Joe Hortiz, director of player personnel (Ravens): Interviewed
- Brandon Hunt, pro scouting director (Steelers): Conducted second interview
- Omar Khan, vice president of football and business administration (Steelers): To be hired
- Dan Morgan, assistant general manager (Panthers): Interviewed
- Jerry Reese, former general manager (Giants): Interviewed
- Louis Riddick, former director of pro personnel (Eagles): Interviewed
- Rick Spielman, former general manager (Vikings): Interviewed
- John Spytek, director of player personnel (Buccaneers): To conduct second interview
- Andy Weidl, vice president of player personnel (Eagles): Conducted second interview
- Doug Whaley, vice president of player personnel (XFL): Conducted second interview
- John Wojciechowski, co-director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed
- JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel (Chargers): Interviewed
Bills Interview Brandon Hunt For Assistant GM Job
With Joe Schoen moving a few hours south, Brandon Beane and the rest of the Bills front office are hunting for an assistant GM. At least one candidate has emerged. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the Bills interviewed Steelers Pro Scouting Coordinator Brandon Hunt for the job.
Hunt is also up for two jobs in Pennsylvania at the moment. He is in contention for a high-ranking gig in the Eagles’ front office, and he’s a candidate to replace Kevin Colbert in Pittsburgh. Hunt also met with the Raiders about their GM vacancy this offseason.
Hunt is in his second stint with the Steelers, having interned for the organization back in 2005 before returning in 2010. He’s well regarded within the front office, and he’s held a role that requires a deep knowledge of the NFL player pool. He was the assumed successor to Colbert, and this Bills gig is likely contingent on how that hiring process ends up working out. On the flip side, Hunt probably wouldn’t be taking an interview for a lesser opportunity unless he was confident he wasn’t getting the Steelers job.
Schoen left to be the Giants GM this offseason, and Beane is now looking for a replacement. There’s a chance more candidates emerge, although the list currently consists of only Hunt.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/22
Here are today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed: OLB Jessie Lemonier (from Lions)
- Released: DL LaRon Stokes
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DL Daniel Joseph
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OT Shon Coleman
- Waived: P Ryan Winslow
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed: S Luther Kirk (from Falcons), CB Reggie Robinson II (from Texans)
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OG Zack Johnson
- Waived: DB Cortez Davis
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: OL Jahmir Johnson
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: S Kolby Harvell-Peel
Los Angeles Chargers
- Claimed: OG Zack Bailey (from Commanders)
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: TE Roger Carter, CB T.J. Carter, LB Andrzej Hughes-Murray, S Daniel Isom, WR Lance McCutcheon
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: OG Eric Wilson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed: WR Josh Hammond (from Jaguars)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: CB Bryce Watts
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Troy Fumagalli
- Waived: TE Garrett Walston
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/16/22
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Christian Blake, S Tae Daley, QB Jarrett Guarantano, OL Greg Long, RB T.J. Pledger, WR Jared Smart
- Waived: LB Ron’Dell Carter, OL Marcus Henry, LB Changa Hodge, S Kekaula Kaniho, DL Will Miles, WR Stephon Robinson
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Tucker Fisk
- Waived: WR Chad Hansen, TE Daniel Helm, DB Luther Kirk
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Vince Biegel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT C.J. Brewer, DT Prince Emili, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, T Will Ulmer
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Wyatt Miller, TE Jared Scott
- Waived: DB Drew Hartlaub (left squad), CB Troy Pride Jr. (failed physical)
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Junior Faulk
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Zack Johnson
- Waived: CB Cortez Davis
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OLB Natrez Patrick
- Waived: OLB Jessie Lemonier
Houston Texans
- Claimed: DB Kendall Sheffield (from Falcons), WR Connor Wedington (from 49ers)
- Waived: CB Reggie Robinson
- Waived/injured: S Kolby Harvell-Peel
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Naz Bohannon, WR Marvin Hall, WR Willie Johnson, WR Ryan McDaniel
- Waived: WR Terry Godwin, WR Josh Hammond, S Sean Mahone, OL Marcus Tatum
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Stanford Samuels III, T Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
- Waived: C Brett Heggie, WR Tré Turner
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB William Kwenkeu
- Waived: LB Tuf Borland
New England Patriots
- Signed: LS Ross Reiter
- Waived: DB Devin Hafford, QB/WR D’Eriq King
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Keric Wheatfall
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Elijah Jones, T Liam Ryan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Kameron Brown, DL Mike Greene, TE J.J. Howland
- Waived: DL Kobe Smith, WR Austin Watkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Kenneth George
- Placed on IR: S Jamal Carter
Washington Commanders
- Claimed (from Broncos): T Drew Himmelman
- Signed: CB Nijuel Hill, LB Bryce Notree
- Waived: G Zack Bailey, LB Jordan Kunaszyk
Bills Add 11 Undrafted Free Agents
May 15: The Bills have added 10th and 11th players to their UDFA list, signing Marshall offensive lineman Will Ulmer, as Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus tweets, and defensive lineman C.J. Brewer from Coastal Carolina, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com.
Ulmer started a school-record 57 games for the Thundering Herd, and his run-blocking prowess and mean streak have been praised by scouts. As one might expect for a UDFA, however, his technique is said to be quite raw at this point.
Brewer was a five-year contributor for the Chanticleers, utilizing the fifth year of eligibility granted due to COVID-19. In his last three years, Brewer contributed a combined 14.0 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss, impressive numbers for a player who lines up mostly on the interior of the line.
Both players were able to secure their new roster spots after successful tryouts at the Bills’ rookie minicamp.
May 14: The 2022 undrafted free agent class’ reveal is nearly complete. The Bills became the latest team to unveil their UDFA contingent:
- Alec Anderson, T (UCLA)
- Raheem Blackshear, RB (Virginia Tech)
- Travon Fuller, CB (Tulsa)
- Kingsley Jonathan, DE (Syracuse)
- Derek Kerstetter, G (Texas)
- Tanner Owen, T (Northwest Missouri State)
- Neil Pau’u, WR (BYU)
- Malik Williams, WR (Appalachian State)
- Jalen Wydermyer, TE (Texas A&M)
Once viewed as a potential early- or mid-round draftee, Wydermeyer fell to the UDFA level despite forgoing his senior season with the Aggies. The 6-foot-3 tight end caught 40 passes for a career-high 515 yards and four touchdowns as a junior and was a regular in the SEC program’s offense in each of his three College Station seasons — each ending in second-team All-SEC acclaim.
Fuller spent time as Wydermeyer’s teammate, transferring to Tulsa after four seasons with Texas A&M. Kerstetter started at four O-line positions (all but left tackle), while Anderson spent most of his Bruins career at right tackle. Owen started all 52 career games at Northwest Missouri State, one of Division II’s top programs. Blackshear spent three seasons at Rutgers and two at Virginia Tech; he led the Hokies in rushing (757 yards, six touchdowns) last season.
Bills Add Former Jets Scout
- Former Jets area scout Alonzo Dotson is joining the Bills, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero noting (via Twitter) the veteran evaluator is expected to become a national scout with Buffalo. Prior to his four-year Jets tenure, Dotson spent six years as a Packers scout. He is the nephew of former Packers Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman Santana Dotson.
Bills Finalize Draft Pick Signings
The Bills have completed the process of signing their entire draft class. The team announced on Friday that each of their eight rookies have inked their initial deal.
That list includes first-round corner Kaiir Elam. The Bills made a small move up the board from 25th to 23rd to make sure they could select him. The former Florida Gator quickly emerged as key piece on the team’s defense, putting up solid production to go along with a pro-ready frame (six-foot-two, 195 pounds). With the secondary identified by many as the position group most in need of assistance, Elam could have a path to significant playing time with the Bills early on.
Another position which Buffalo made considerably stronger was that of running back. The team took Georgia tailback James Cook in the second round, adding competition for touches with Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and Duke Johnson. The younger brother of Vikings Pro Bowler Dalvin, Cook enjoyed a breakout season in his final campaign with the national champions. He topped 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time, scoring 11 total touchdowns.
The rest of the Bills’ class contains depth options on both sides of the ball, as well as a special teams addition. The team drafted so-called ‘Punt God’ Matt Araiza in the sixth round. The San Diego State product averaged over 51 yards per punt during his college career, fielding kickoff and field goal duties as well.
With the entire class under contract, here is the complete list of Bills draftees:
- Round 1: No. 23 (from Cardinals through Ravens) Kaiir Elam, CB (Florida)
- Round 2: No. 63 (from Bengals) James Cook, RB (Georgia)
- Round 3: No. 89 Terrel Bernard, LB (Baylor) (signed)
- Round 5: No. 148 (from Bears) Khalil Shakir, WR (Boise State)
- Round 6: No. 180 (from Jaguars through Buccaneers) Matt Araiza, P (San Diego State)
- Round 6: No. 185 (from Panthers) Christian Benford, CB (Villanova)
- Round 6: No. 209 (from Bengals) Luke Tenuta, OT (Virginia Tech)
- Round 7: No. 231 (from Falcons) Baylon Spector, LB (Clemson)
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/12/22
Thursday has featured several rookie deals finalized. Here are the mid- and late-round draftees to sign their four-year contracts today:
Arizona Cardinals
- RB Keaontay Ingram (sixth round, USC)
- OL Lecitus Smith (sixth round, Virginia Tech)
- LB Jesse Luketa (seventh round, Penn State)
Atlanta Falcons
- RB Tyler Allgeier (fifth round, BYU)
- G Justin Shaffer (sixth round, Georgia)
- TE John FitzPatrick (sixth round, Georgia)
Buffalo Bills
- LB Terrel Bernard (third round, Baylor)
Cleveland Browns
- CB Martin Emerson (third round, Mississippi State)
- DE Alex Wright (third round, UAB)
- WR David Bell (third round, Purdue)
- RB Jerome Ford (fifth round, Cincinnati)
- WR Mike Woods (sixth round, Oklahoma)
- DE Isaiah Thomas (seventh round, Oklahoma)
- C Dawson Deaton (seventh round, Texas Tech)
Dallas Cowboys
- DT John Ridgeway (fifth round, Arkansas)
Denver Broncos
- WR Montrell Washington (fifth round, Samford)
Detroit Lions
- TE James Mitchell (fifth round, Virginia Tech)
Houston Texans
- RB Dameon Pierce (fourth round, Florida)
- DT Thomas Booker (fifth round, Stanford)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB Snoop Conner (fifth round, Ole Miss)
- CB Gregory Junior (sixth round, Ouachita Baptist)
- CB Montaric Brown (seventh round, Arkansas)
Las Vegas Raiders
- G Dylan Parham (third round, Memphis)
- DT Matthew Butler (fifth round, Tennessee)
- T Thayer Munford (seventh round, Ohio State)
- RB Brittain Brown (seventh round, UCLA)
Miami Dolphins
- DE Cameron Goode (seventh round, California)
Minnesota Vikings
- DE Esezi Otomewo (fifth round, Minnesota)
- RB Ty Chandler (sixth round, North Carolina)
- T Vederian Lowe (sixth round, Illinois)
- WR Jalen Nailor (sixth round, Michigan State)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- RB Rachaad White (third round, Arizona State)
- CB Zyon McCollum (fifth round, Sam Houston State)
- TE Ko Kieft (sixth round, Minnesota)
- OLB Andre Anthony (seventh round, LSU)
Tennessee Titans
- RB Hassan Haskins (fourth round, Michigan)
- WR Kyle Philips (fifth round, UCLA)
- CB Theo Jackson (sixth round, Tennessee)
- LB Chance Campbell (sixth round, Ole Miss)
Bills To Hire Texans’ Matt Bazirgan
After seeing assistant general manager Joe Schoen become the Giants’ GM, the Bills recently lost exec Dennis Hickey to the Giants as well. Amid the subtractions, Buffalo added to its front office this week.
The Bills are hiring Texans co-assistant director of player personnel Matt Bazirgan, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter). Bazirgan spent four years with the Texans; he will join the Bills as a senior personnel exec. He will reunite with ex-Texans GM Brian Gaine, who has worked on Brandon Beane‘s Bills staff since 2019.
A Jets exec for nearly 15 years, Bazirgan joined the Texans’ front office shortly after the 2018 draft. This move came ahead of a turbulent period for the Texans, who soon pivoted to a Bill O’Brien– and Jack Easterby-led operation. The Texans fired Gaine barely a year into his GM tenure, and while Bazirgan stayed on under current GM Nick Caserio for over a year, he will rejoin his former boss in Buffalo.
Bazirgan, who interviewed for the Texans’ GM job late in 2020, worked as Gaine’s right-hand man during the latter’s short GM tenure and also provided a leadership presence with the team’s college and pro scouting departments. He worked with the Jets for 14 years and rose to a college scouting director post with the AFC East franchise.
Texans To Sign Jerry Hughes
One of the top remaining edge rushers is off the market. Jerry Hughes is signing with the Texans, as first reported by Jordan Schultz and confirmed (on Twitter) by Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson. 
Hughes, 33, began his career in Indianapolis in 2010. He played a reserve role for the first two seasons of his career, but took on a much larger workload the following year. He started six games, totalling 41 tackles and four sacks. During the subsequent offseason, though, he was traded to the Bills.
It was in Buffalo that he enjoyed the bulk of his success. Starting 127 of 144 games with the Bills, Hughes put up back-to-back seasons with 10 sacks in 2013 and 2014. Since then, he has remained a consistent presence on the edge of the Bills’ defense. His level of play earned him a two-year extension in 2019, though the 2021 campaign saw him put up the lowest totals of his tenure in western New York (18 tackles, two sacks).
This offseason, the Bills have made changes in the edge room, including, most notably, the signing of Von Miller. In large part because of that deal, Hughes and Mario Addison were forced to find new homes. The latter has already signed in Houston, making him one of a few notable faces for Hughes. Another is defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire, who previously worked on the Bills’ staff.
As a Sugar Land native and TCU alum, this deal also marks a homecoming for Hughes. Even if he isn’t able to replicate his best years, he should have a notable role to play on what could be a much-improved Texans defense in 2022.