2021 NFL General Manager Search Tracker
This year’s NFL GM carousel figures to be more active than usual. The Falcons, Lions, Panthers, Texans, and Jaguars are all on the hunt for a new front office leader. And that’s only the official list. The real tally shows six clubs looking for a GM, since the Washington Football Team is expected to install a GM to work alongside head coach Ron Rivera. By mid-January, we could easily see a couple more jobs opening up — that’d put ~25% of the NFL on the market.
We’ll keep track of the GM candidates for each club here, along with their current status. If and when other teams decide to make general manager changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here’s the current breakdown:
Updated 1-19-21 (7:02pm CT)
Atlanta Falcons
- Morocco Brown, Colts college scouting director: Interviewed
- Terry Fontenot, Saints VP/assistant GM: Hired
- Brad Holmes, Rams director of college scouting: To receive second interview, finalist for position
- Anthony Robinson, Falcons director of college scouting: Interviewed
- Joe Schoen, Bills assistant GM: To be interviewed
- Rick Smith, former Texans general manager: Interviewed; finalist for position
Carolina Panthers
- Mike Borgonzi, Chiefs player personnel director: Rumored candidate
- Nick Caserio, Patriots VP of player personnel: Interviewed
- Ed Dodds, Colts assistant GM: Interviewed; name withdrawn from search
- Scott Fitterer, Seahawks VP of player personnel: Hired
- Champ Kelly, Bears assistant player personnel director: Interviewed
- Omar Khan, Steelers VP of football and business administration: Interviewed
- Jeff Ireland, Saints assistant GM: Interviewed
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Browns VP of football operations: Interviewed
- Monti Ossenfort, Titans player personnel director: To receive second interview
- George Paton, Vikings assistant GM: Rumored candidate; withdrew name from consideration
- Adam Peters, 49ers VP of player personnel: To receive second interview
- Ryan Poles, Chiefs assistant player personnel director: Received second interview
- Jerry Reese, former Giants general manager: Interviewed
- Joe Schoen, Bills assistant GM: Interviewed
- Pat Stewart, Panthers player personnel director: Interviewed
- Samir Suleiman, Panthers director of player negotiations: Interviewed
- Brandt Tilis, Chiefs football administration director: Interviewed
Denver Broncos
- Terry Fontenot, Saints vice president of pro personnel: To receive second interview
- Champ Kelly, Bears assistant director of player personnel: Interviewed
- George Paton, Vikings assistant GM: Hired
- Brian Stark, Broncos director of college scouting: To be interviewed
- Dave Ziegler, Patriots assistant player personnel director: To be interviewed; bowed out of search
Detroit Lions
- Kevin Colbert, Steelers general manager: Rumored candidate
- Thomas Dimitroff, former Falcons general manager: Interviewed
- Terry Fontenot, Saints assistant GM: Interviewed
- Brad Holmes, Rams director of college scouting: Hired
- Jeff Ireland, Saints assistant GM: Interviewed
- Rob Lohman, Lions director of pro scouting: Interviewed
- Lance Newmark, Lions director of player personnel: Interviewed
- Kyle O’Brien, Lions VP of player personnel: Interviewed
- George Paton, Vikings assistant GM: Interviewed
- Scott Pioli, former Chiefs GM/NFL Network analyst: Interviewed
- Louis Riddick, ESPN analyst/former Eagles exec: Interviewed
- John Schneider, Seahawks general manager: Rumored candidate; signed Seahawks extension
- Rick Smith, former Texans general manager: Interviewed
Houston Texans
- Matt Bazirgan, Texans player personnel director: Interviewed
- Malik Boyd, Bills pro scouting director: Interviewed
- Nick Caserio, Patriots VP of player personnel: Hired
- Scott Cohen, Ravens football research director: Interview requested
- Omar Khan, Steelers VP of football and business administration: Interviewed; received job offer
- Trent Kirchner, Seahawks VP of player personnel: Interviewed
- Ozzie Newsome, Ravens executive vice president: Preferred candidate
- Louis Riddick, ESPN analyst/former Eagles exec: Interviewed
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Trent Baalke, interim Jaguars GM: Expected to be hired
- Ray Farmer, former Browns general manager: To be interviewed
- Terry Fontenot, Saints assistant GM: Interview requested
- Jerry Reese, former Giants GM: Interviewed
- Louis Riddick, ESPN analyst/former Eagles exec: Interviewed
- Rick Smith, former Texans general manager: Interviewed
Washington Football Team
- Ryan Cowden, Titans VP of player personnel: Interview requested
- Marty Hurney, former Panthers general manager: Expected to be hired; joined team in non-GM role
- Martin Mayhew, former Lions general manager: Hired
- Nick Polk, Falcons football operations director: Interview requested
- Rick Smith, former Texans general manager: Mentioned as candidate
- JoJo Wooden, Chargers player personnel director: Interview expected
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/12/21
Here are the latest NFL minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: OL Jordan Devey
- Placed on IR: RB Zack Moss
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: G Michael Dunn, CB Robert Jackson
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers from Washington: LB Shaun Dion Hamilton
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: G Simon Stepaniak
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to reserve/futures contract: T Jake Benzinger, CB Anthony Chesley, T Elijah Nkansah
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: QB Anthony Gordon
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: LB Jachai Polite
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to reserve/futures contract: RB Jordan Scarlett
New York Jets
- Signed to reserve/futures contract: LB John Daka
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: FB Trey Edmunds
Washington Football Team
- Signed to reserve/futures contract: DB DeMarkus Acy, DB Torry McTyer, DE Daniel Wise
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/11/21
We’ll keep track of the latest practice squad moves here:
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from COVID-19 list: C Javon Patterson
- Released: DT Joey Ivie
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LS John Denney
Browns “All Clear” After COVID-19 Testing
More good news for the Browns. After winning their first playoff game in ages, the team got an “all clear” on their latest round of COVID-19 testing, according to a source who spoke with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). 
After jumping out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter, the Browns held on for their first postseason victory since 1994. They did it without their head coach on the sidelines, too. Browns special-teams coordinator and Cleveland native Mike Priefer led the way, as Kevin Stefanski kept his distance. Stefanski is expected to be cleared in time for this weekend, when the Browns look to upset the Chiefs.
“I want to congratulate our fans — I grew up one of them,” said Priefer (via ESPN.com). “I know what this means.”
The Browns will also hope to have Joel Bitonio back in action. The Pro Bowl guard was held out against the Steelers after testing for COVID-19 — ditto for wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and two offensive assistants.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/9/21
Here are the latest NFL minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Sam Koch
- Promoted: QB Tyler Huntley, T R.J. Prince
- Placed on IR: OL Ben Bredeson
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, CB A.J. Green, T Alex Taylor
Green Bay Packers
- Signed to reserve/futures deal: WR Chris Blair, S Innis Gaines, LB Ray Wilborn
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: WR Deonte Harris, CB Patrick Robinson
- Placed on IR: OL Nick Easton
- Promoted: LB Chase Hansen, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
- Waived: WR Jake Kumerow
New York Giants
- Signed to reserve/futures deal: QB/WR Joe Webb
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to reserve/futures deal: QB/TE Tyree Jackson, CB Kevon Seymour
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: G Matt Feiler, LB Robert Spillane
- Promoted: TE Kevin Rader
- Waived: LB Tegray Scales
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: DT Cedrick Lattimore
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Jonathan Bullard
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: OL Daniel Munyer, LB Brooks Reed
Denzel Ward To Miss Wild-Card Game
The Browns’ uphill battle in their first playoff game in 18 years became steeper Saturday. The team announced it will be without top cornerback Denzel Ward in Pittsburgh.
Ward will remain on the Browns’ reserve/COVID-19 list. So will fellow starting cornerback Kevin Johnson, who also tested positive last week. Both missing last week limited a Browns secondary in a game when Mason Rudolph threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
Based on his timeline, coronavirus protocols would have allowed Ward to suit up against the Steelers. But this would have required Ward being asymptomatic and passing the necessary tests. The third-year corner has not hit the necessary checkpoints, which will leave the Browns shorthanded Sunday night. The NFL found some COVID-19 spread within the Browns but did not move to postpone the AFC North playoff matchup.
However, the Browns will have some players back for their Steelers tilt. The team activated safety Ronnie Harrison, linebacker Malcolm Smith and tight end Harrison Bryant from its virus list. Harrison tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, but the NFL deemed it a false positive, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. Browns corner Terrance Mitchell was held out of practice Friday after testing positive, per Cabot, but that has also since been deemed a false positive.
The returns of Harrison, Smith and Bryant leave Ward, Johnson, Joel Bitonio and KhaDarel Hodge on Cleveland’s COVID list. Several coaches, however, will miss the game. Kevin Stefanski, offensive line coach Bill Callahan, assistant O-line coach Scott Peters, tight ends coach Drew Petzing and DBs coach Jeff Howard are out Sunday night. After coaching the Browns’ wide receivers last week, first-year Cleveland assistant Callie Brownson will coach tight ends this week, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/8/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves right here:
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: OL Jordan Devey, WR Duke Williams
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Jovante Moffatt
Denver Broncos
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): LB Natrez Patrick
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: RB Darius Anderson, T Jared Veldheer
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Michael Brockers
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: RB Alex Collins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: LB Deone Bucannon, G Ted Larsen, CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e
- Waived: LB Chapelle Russell
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Dontrelle Inman
NFL Finds COVID-19 Spread Within Browns
Jan. 8: There is finally some good news to report on the Browns’ COVID-19 situation. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets that the only new positive test today was assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters, who had already been identified as a high risk close contact. Hopefully, this means that the spread has been contained.
The wildcard game against the Steelers remains scheduled for Sunday night.
Jan. 7: The Browns learned Thursday they will be without another starter against the Steelers. Ronnie Harrison tested positive for COVID-19, the Browns announced. The team will have another starting safety — Andrew Sendejo — back for its playoff opener, but the NFL has determined some coronavirus spread has occurred within the Browns.
NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said “there was some spread from one individual to another,” via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Previously, the league deemed the Browns’ virus issue as having resulted from a spread within the Cleveland-area community.
Despite the Browns being down head coach Kevin Stefanski, Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and others, the game remains on schedule for Sunday night, Pelissero tweets. However, contact tracing is ongoing and intra-team spreads have triggered postponements this season.
The Steelers saw multiple games — against the Titans and Ravens — postponed because of COVID-19 spreading within those teams’ facilities. The NFL could face a decision soon. It is not out of the question the AFC North matchup is postponed, per the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, but a “bigger bump” in spread would need to happen (Twitter link).
Even in the event of a postponement of a day or two, the Browns would not have Stefanski or Bitonio back due to their positive tests occurring earlier this week. Cleveland also has key contributors Denzel Ward, Kevin Johnson, KhaDarel Hodge, Malcolm Smith and Harrison Bryant on its reserve/COVID-19 list. Ward could be activated in time for Sunday’s game but only if he has not encountered symptoms.
The Browns also placed linebacker Montrel Meander on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list but moved linebacker B.J. Goodson back onto their active roster after his stay on the COVID list. Harrison just returned to action, playing in Week 17 after missing several late-season games due to a shoulder injury.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/6/21
We’ll keep track of the latest minor moves here:
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: K Joey Slye (ERFA)
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: OL Nick Harris (knee)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Michael Danna
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived/injured: K Kai Forbath
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: FB Michael Burton, RB Latavius Murray, RB Dwayne Washington
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released from IR: CB Kevon Seymour
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: LS Colin Holba
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: TE Luke Willson
- Placed on IR: DB Jayson Stanley
Browns Joel Bitonio, Kevin Stefanski Test Positive For COVID-19
The Browns are going to the playoffs, but they’ll be without some of their key cast members. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and left guard Joel Bitonio have both tested positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge has also tested positive with five cases in total from the latest round. 
The Browns-Steelers game is still scheduled to go ahead, with the belief that the Browns’ newest cases are the result of community spread, rather than a full-on facility outbreak. With Stefanski keeping his distance, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as the acting head coach. Meanwhile, Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is expected to call the plays.
Bitonio, of course, is a big loss for the Browns. The three-time Pro Bowler has been a rock throughout his seven-year career, despite constant instability in Cleveland. This year, he’s continued his excellent work while mentoring promising rookie Jedrick Wills. In his place, the Browns will be forced to turn to Michael Dunn or rookie Nick Harris — neither backup can block like Bitonio.