Vikings Request Second Interviews With Five GM Candidates
The Vikings are making progress in their search for a general manager. The team has requested in-person, second-round interviews with interim GM Rob Brzezinski and four assistant GMs from other teams, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. The list includes Reed Burckhardt (Broncos), Terrance Gray (Bills), John McKay (Rams) and Nolan Teasley (Seahawks).
The Vikings have been without a full-time GM since they fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January, which occurred three weeks after the end of a disappointing 9-8 season. Brzezinski, who has been with the Vikings in various roles dating back to 1999, has since guided them through the heart of the offseason. As the Vikings’ executive vice president of football operations since 2014, Brzezinski is a serious candidate for a full-time promotion. Perhaps Brzezinski’s familiarity with Vikings ownership and head coach Kevin O’Connell will tip the scale in his favor.
With help from search firm TurnKeyZRG, the Vikings began their search for Adofo-Mensah’s replacement after last month’s draft. In addition to the names mentioned above, they requested initial interviews with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Dolphins AGM Kyle Smith, Titans AGM Dave Ziegler, 49ers AGM R.J. Gillen and Chargers AGM Chad Alexander. After Alexander withdrew from the race on his own last week, it appears the Vikings have now crossed off Agnew, Smith, Ziegler and Gillen as possibilities.
As for the contenders still competing with Brzezinski, a couple have notable Vikings connections. Before becoming the Broncos’ director of player personnel in 2022, Burckhardt worked in various scouting and personnel roles with the Vikings for 13 years. Gray, who has been with the Bills since 2017, was a college scout for the Vikings from 2006-16.
While McKay and Teasley do not carry past Vikings experience, both are important members of two of the NFL’s best front offices. McKay, now in his 10th year with the Rams, has worked with the Super Bowl-winning tandem of GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay. He is also familiar with O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2020-21. Teasley has served under Seahawks GM John Schneider, a two-time Super Bowl champion, since 2013.
Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract
Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).
Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner; March 14, 2022: Three years, $21MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard
Atlanta Falcons
- Devonta Freeman; August 9, 2017: Five years, $41.25MM ($22.1MM guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry; May 19, 2025: Two years, $30MM ($25MM guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook; August 13, 2025: Four years, $46MM ($28.82MM guaranteed)
LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total
Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey; April 13, 2020: Four years, $64.1MM ($38.16MM guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)
D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact
Cleveland Browns
- Nick Chubb; July 31, 2021: Three years, $36.6MM ($20MM guaranteed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott; September 4, 2019: Six years, $90MM ($50.1MM guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Melvin Gordon; March 20, 2020: Two years, $16MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal
Green Bay Packers
- Aaron Jones; March 14, 2021: Four years, $48MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees
Houston Texans
- Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor; October 7, 2023: Three years, $42MM ($26.5MM guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Jones-Drew; April 15, 2009: Five years, $31.1MM ($14.25MM guaranteed)
Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenneth Walker; March 9, 2026: Three years, $43.1MM ($28.7MM guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Jacobs; August 26, 2023: One year, $11.79MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed
Los Angeles Chargers
- LaDainian Tomlinson; August 15, 2004: Six years, $48MM ($21MM guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley; July 24, 2018: Four years, $57.5MM ($45MM guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane; May 13, 2026: Four years, $64MM ($32MM guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)
New England Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson; June 20, 2024: Four years, $36MM ($17.12MM guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Alvin Kamara; September 12, 2020: Five years, $75MM ($33.83MM guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley; March 7, 2023: One year, $10.1MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal
New York Jets
- Breece Hall; May 8, 2026: Three years, $43.5MM ($29MM guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley; March 4, 2025: Two years, $41.2MM ($36MM guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le’Veon Bell; February 27, 2017: One year, $12.12MM franchise tag ($12.12MM guaranteed)
Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal
San Francisco 49ers
- Christian McCaffrey; June 4, 2024: Two years, $38MM ($24MM guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Marshawn Lynch; March 4, 2012: Four years, $30MM ($17MM guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Doug Martin; March 9, 2016: Five years, $35.75MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Tennessee Titans
- Derrick Henry; July 15, 2020: Four years, $50MM ($25.5MM guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post
Knee Concerns Led To RB Jonah Coleman Falling To Round 4
This year’s draft only produced three running back selections over the first three rounds. Notre Dame produced two first-round picks (Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price), while an Indiana back not invited to the Combine (Kaelon Black) went to the 49ers in Round 3.
Jonah Coleman may well have joined Black as a Day 2 draftee had he been healthy throughout the 2025 season, but a knee injury limited the compact Washington prospect last year. Teams held concerns about Coleman’s knee entering the draft, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who notes this issue was a “major” factor in the former Arizona recruit falling to the fourth round.
The Broncos chose Coleman 108th overall, preparing to develop him as a presumptive long-term option alongside 2025 second-round pick RJ Harvey. Coleman’s “30” visit allowed the Broncos to examine his knee, and while Breer adds team doctors viewed it as a risk, Denver’s regime deemed it one worth taking.
Denver re-signed J.K. Dobbins in March, giving him a substantial raise ($8MM guaranteed), but the former Ravens second-rounder is a chronic injury risk. Dobbins has missed 57 career games; Coleman could be needed early if/when Dobbins — whose 2025 season ended due to a November Lisfranc injury — misses time in 2026. The Broncos, who also re-signed Jaleel McLaughlin this offseason, will hope Coleman shakes his recent knee setback.
As Coleman attempts to develop behind the Dobbins-Harvey duo, he is coming off a season that included a strained knee ligament sustained Nov. 9. The 5-foot-8 ballcarrier missed the Huskies’ following game but opted to play hurt the rest of the way. Coleman struggled in his first two games back, gaining six yards on four carries against UCLA and 22 on nine totes against Oregon. He closed the season on a higher note, totaling 85 yards on 12 handoffs against Boise State. That came in a bowl game two weeks after Washington’s regular season wrapped. Coleman finished the ’25 season with 758 rushing yards.
Despite the injury-limited section of his season, Coleman led the Big Ten with 17 touchdowns. His two 100-yard rushing performances came against nonconference competition last September, but the 2024 season featured 1,053 Coleman rushing yards in 13 games (Coleman gained 871 rushing yards in 13 Arizona games in 2023.) Weight issues also affected Coleman in college, though Sean Payton said the fourth-round rookie was in “good shape” at the team’s rookie minicamp. Coleman weighed 220 pounds at the Combine but played heavier at points with the Huskies.
The Chiefs, Seahawks and Vikings showed interest in Coleman but each ended up drafting different RBs. Seattle viewed the local product as an option in the event it completed a first-round trade-down move, but the defending Super Bowl champions chose Price at No. 32. Coleman will now get to work as an intriguing option in Denver.
Vikings Request GM Interviews With Ray Agnew, Reed Burckhardt, Kyle Smith
The list of candidates for the Vikings GM opening continues to grow. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team has requested interviews with three executives: Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt, and Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith.
Agnew had front office stints with the Jets and Rams before following Brad Holmes to Detroit to become the Lions assistant general manager in 2021. The executive has helped spearhead a franchise turnaround; after a three-win showing during the first year under the new regime, the Lions have averaged more than 11 wins per season since 2022. The front office has also pulled off shrewd trades (like the Matthew Stafford–Jared Goff swap) and have hit on some key picks (including Aidan Hutchinson and Jahmyr Gibbs). As a result, Agnew has been mentioned as a candidate to eventually lead his own front office.
Burckhardt earned a promotion to Denver’s assistant GM last offseason. The executive previously served as the team’s director of player personnel. Before his stint with the Broncos, Burckhardt worked alongside current boss George Paton in Minnesota, where he held a variety of scouting and personnel roles. Following Burckhardt’s promotion to assistant GM in Denver, the Broncos proceeded to have one of their most successful seasons in recent history, finishing with 14 victories. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, Burckhardt interviewed for the Vikings gig earlier today.
Smith worked his way up to vice president of player personnel in Washington and assistant GM in Atlanta before taking an assistant GM gig in Miami under Jon-Eric Sullivan. The executive was credited with some of Washington’s draft hits like Terry McLaurin, and he’s currently being counted on to guide a similar rebuild in Miami.
The Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January and went through the draft with Rob Brzezinski in place in the interim. In the meantime, the team has been looking high and low for their new front office leader. The latest trio joins a list of candidates that also includes Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander, 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray, Rams assistant GM John McKay, Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasely, and Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler.
Meanwhile, Albert Breer of SI.com recently provided some insight on the organization’s approach. The reporter suggests that Brzezinski could be kept in a role similar to Mike Disner with the Lions or Tony Pastoors with the Rams, with the new GM being tasked with more of a “scouting-focused” role. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports adds that the team’s search will surely continue through Memorial Day and could drag on into late May.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/26
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Shane Zylstra
- Waived: K Maddux Trujillo
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
- Waived: RB Deuce Vaughn, CB Will Wright
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers: DB M.J. Devonshire (from Bills), TE Luke Lachey (from Texans)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Johnny Pascuzzi, S Myles Purchase, OT Laekin Vakalahi
- Waived: OLB Niles King, TE Tanner McLachlan, TE Thomas Yassmin
- Waived/injured: CB Jeremiah Wilson
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserved/retired list: RB Le’Veon Moss
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived/failed physical: CB Cory Trice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Caden Fordham
WR Marvin Mims Open To Broncos Extension
Marvin Mims hasn’t emerged as the offensive game-changer that the Broncos were likely envisioning when they selected him in the second-round of the 2023 draft. Entering the final season of his rookie contract, it’s once again uncertain where Mims will land in the offensive pecking order. However, the receiver has made it clear that he’d like to stick in Denver.
“I don’t know what can happen,” Mims admitted when discussing his expiring contract (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). “We’ll see within the next year, but I know I want to enjoy being a Denver Bronco as long as I can. I’m not really thinking about what’s next. Mostly just having my feet in the moment.”
The Oklahoma product showed flashes as a rookie when he averaged 13.1 yards per touch. He followed that up with a solid sophomore campaign, when he finished with 52 touches for 545 yards and six touchdowns. However, those numbers took a step back in 2025, as Mims finished the year with 49 touches for 400 yards and two scores.
Still, the 24-year-old has found other ways to contribute to the Broncos. He earned All-Pro nods in 2023 and 2024 for his special teams ability. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown as a rookie, and he led the NFL with 15.7 yards per punt as a sophomore. He finished this past year with a career-high 29 punt returns for a league-leading 452 yards and one touchdown.
Mims ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game makes him a useful piece, but it’s uncertain if the Broncos are counting on him as a foundational piece moving forward. The organization went out and acquired Jaylen Waddle this offseason, pairing the star wideout with Courtland Sutton atop the depth chart. With Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant also attached to rookie deals, the 2026 campaign could prove to be Mims’ final year in Denver.
Former NFL QB Craig Morton Passes Away
Longtime NFL quarterback Craig Morton died at the age of 83 on Saturday. Morton divided his 18-year career among the Cowboys, Broncos and Giants.
Morton spent his college days at California, where he enjoyed a prolific run from 1962-64. He played his first two years under future Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Marv Levy. Bill Walsh, another future Hall of Fame head coach, was on Levy’s staff as a receivers coach during Morton’s first season. A three-year starter who broke numerous school records, the strong-armed Morton was inducted into both the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
After Morton threw for over 4,500 yards and 36 touchdowns in 30 games at Cal, the Cowboys chose him fifth overall in the 1965 NFL Draft. The Raiders selected Morton in the 10th round of the AFL draft in the same year, but he chose to sign with Dallas. Morton spent his first four years backing up Don Meredith before finally becoming Dallas’ starter in 1969. He helped the Cowboys to Super Bowl V in his second year at the helm, but they fell to the Baltimore Colts on a late field goal. Kicker Jim O’Brien hit a 32-yarder to clinch a 16-13 win for the Colts with five seconds left.
While the Cowboys made their second straight Super Bowl trip to cap off the 1971 season, Morton no longer held the reins. Head coach Tom Landry named Roger Staubach the starter in Week 8, and the Cowboys went on to win their first Super Bowl in a 24-3 romp over the Dolphins. Staubach suffered a separated shoulder the next season, which led to Morton making 14 starts and leading the Cowboys to a 10-4 record. However, Landry pulled Morton for Staubach in a divisional round matchup against the 49ers. Staubach never relinquished the job after sparking a 15-point fourth-quarter comeback and a 30-28 victory.
With Morton still stuck behind Staubach a couple of years later, he asked out of Dallas in 1974. A frustrated Morton signed with the Houston Texans of the World Football League, but he never played a down for them. The Cowboys granted Morton’s wish when they traded him to the Giants six games into the ’74 campaign. They received a 1975 first-rounder (No. 2 overall) and a ’76 second-rounder in return. Dallas used the first of those picks on future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Randy White, who became one of the greatest players in franchise history.
While the Morton trade worked out for the Cowboys, the same was not true for the Giants. They struggled over two-plus years with Morton, who went just 8-25 and threw 29 touchdowns and 49 interception as their starter. The Giants ended the Morton era with a 1977 trade in which they dealt him to the Broncos for quarterback Steve Ramsey and a fifth-rounder.
Morton’s stock was down when he arrived in Denver, but the change of scenery yielded a career renaissance. Playing his age-34 season in 1978, Morton tossed 14 touchdowns against eight interceptions, finished fourth in the NFL in passer rating (82.0), guided the Broncos to a 12-2 record, and won a pair of awards: AFC Offensive Player of the Year and NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
The Broncos wound up meeting Morton’s first team, Dallas, in Super Bowl XII. While Morton became the first player to start at quarterback for two different teams in the Super Bowl, the Cowboys proved too strong in a 27-10 rout. White and fellow D-lineman Harvey Martin took home co-MVP honors after a stifling defensive performance.
Morton made 50 more starts as a Bronco through the strike-shortened 1982 season, his last, and earned two more playoff berths. Although the Broncos never returned to the Super Bowl with Morton at the controls, he still stands as one of the best quarterbacks in franchise history.
Wearing No. 7 before his successor, John Elway, Morton retired as the Broncos’ all-time leader in passing yards (11,895), touchdowns (74) and yards per attempt (7.5). Despite playing in a much tougher era for QBs, Morton still ranks second in team history in YPA and third in both passing yards and TDs 44 years since he last took the field. Peyton Manning became the franchise leader in YPA. He and Elway are the only passers above Morton in yards and TDs.
Inducted into Broncos’ Ring of Fame in 1988, Morton made 144 starts in the NFL. Along with posting a 81-62-1 record as a starter, Morton threw for 27,908 yards and 183 touchdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/26
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Ross Blacklock, LB Daveren Rayner
- Waived: TE Brandon Frazier, DT Ben Stille, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Carlos Washington
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Kyron Hudson, LB Wayne Matthews III, LB Jon Rhattigan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Michael Coats Jr.
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Evan Hull
- Waived: TE Luke Lachey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: WR Brenden Rice
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: FB DJ Herman
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Bangally Kamara, DL Smith Vilbert
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Xavier Holmes, S Peter Manuma
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Brock Rechsteiner
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Jaden Keller
- Waived: LB Ochaun Mathis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C Greg Crippen
- Waived: OT Sataoa Laumea
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Larry Worth III
- Waived: LB Milo Eifler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
- Waived: LS Wesley Brown, WR Noah Short, LB Benton Whitley, RB Owen Wright
Broncos Add 13 UDFAs
The Broncos were active following the draft, as the organization added 13 more players to their rookie class. The team announced the addition of the following 13 undrafted free agents:
- Brent Austin, CB (California)
- Luke Basso, LS (Oregon)
- Ahmari Harvey, CB (Georgia Tech)
- Kolbe Katsis, WR (Northern Arizona)
- Dane Key, WR (Nebraska)
- Joseph Manjack, WR (TCU)
- Dasan McCullough, LB (Nebraska)
- Tyler Miller, OT (Iowa State)
- Gavin Ortega, OL (Weber State)
- Parker Robertson, S (Oklahoma State)
- Cameron Ross, WR (Virginia)
- William Wright, CB (Tennessee)
- Taurean York, LB (Texas A&M)
Taurean York earned the highest chunk of guaranteed money among Denver’s UDFA class. Per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, the Texas A&M linebacker earned a $25K signing bonus and $300K of his base salary guaranteed. The linebacker was productive for the Aggies over the past three seasons, collecting 229 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Among the team’s other pricey UDFAs signings were Tyler Miller ($275K), Dasan McCullough ($245K), Gavin Ortega ($142.5K), and Ahmari Harvey ($110K), per Tomasson and Mike Klis of 9News in Denver.
McCullough has a funj connection to Sean Payton. As Tomasson passes along, Payton was an Eagles assistant in 1997 when the team was rostering Deland McCullough, Dasan’s father. The younger McCullough bounced around a bit during his collegiate career, spending time at Indiana, Oklahoma State, and eventually Nebraska. During that final stop in 2025, the linebacker compiled 21 stops, five tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks.
The Broncos were busy adding to their WR depth chart, as the team signed four UDFAs at the position. The team actually would have had a fifth, as they initially agreed to terms with Charlotte’s Sean Brown. However, the rookie wideout ended up failing his physical, per Luca Evans of the Denver Post. Brown continues to recover from a Jones fracture he suffered in February.
Broncos Extend GM George Paton
MAY 10: Parker Gabriel and Luca Evans of the Denver Post report the Paton extension was “hammered out” over the past couple of weeks. The deal was obviously expected at some point, but Paton and the team wanted to remain focused on the draft before turning their attention to the GM’s own contract status.
Payton, who spent his entire Saints career working with one GM in Mickey Loomis, is happy to have Paton in place for the long haul.
“I said to [Paton], I said, ‘Man, I consider myself very fortunate to have been with one General Manager in New Orleans who I would call a very close friend and a great working partner,’ and then to find another person like George,” Payton said at the Broncos’ rookie minicamp (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “I know that we both feel the same way. We love the grind together. He’s a tremendous asset and all, and he’s very good at what he does. I think we complement each other. I am super excited for him. I said that to you guys at the [scouting combine], it was just a matter of time. We think alike in a lot of cases.”
MAY 8: As expected, George Paton has landed a new agreement in Denver. The Broncos’ general manager signed a five-year deal on Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Before the 2025 season had ended, a Paton extension emerged as a likely goal for the Broncos. The veteran had one year remaining on his contract prior to today’s news. Now, though, Paton is on the books through 2030 on a deal which has since been confirmed via a team announcement.
Head coach Sean Payton has of course wielded considerable power since arriving in 2023. The ex-Saints Super Bowl winner has formed a strong tandem with Paton, and in February he expressed confidence an agreement would be worked out. The Paton-Payton pairing will continue for years to come as the Broncos look to build off their recent success. That includes earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed this past year.
“As our general manager, George has demonstrated a strong commitment toward building a winning roster while forming a collaborative and supportive partnership with Sean Payton,” a statement from owner Greg Penner reads. “I’ve enjoyed working with George over the last four seasons and appreciate the alignment we share in positioning the Broncos for sustained success.”
After time with the Bears and Dolphins, Paton joined the Vikings in 2007. He worked his way up to assistant general manager, serving in that capacity from 2007-20. Paton also held the title of VP of player personnel during his Minnesota stint. A return to the Vikings was floated as a possibility after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s firing, but the Broncos’ desire for a long-term agreement remained. Minnesota’s GM spot is still vacant at this point and Paton, 56, will be staying put.
Denver’s post-Peyton Manning cold spell continued upon Paton’s arrival. The team posted a losing record in each of his first three years at the helm, and moves such as the Nathaniel Hackett hire and the Russell Wilson trade certainly did not pay off. Despite carrying a massive dead money charge in the wake of Wilson’s release, though, the Broncos have managed to rebound thanks to Paton’s roster-building moves. Denver reached the playoffs as a No. 7 seed in 2024, and this past campaign saw the team host the AFC title game.
Quarterback Bo Nix‘s ankle injury kept him out of that contest, but expectations will be high in his case individually and that of the Broncos in general for years to come. Paton has managed to retain a strong core on defense and along the offensive line, and he recently swung a deal for receiver Jaylen Waddle. That move should help shore up the receiver position as the Broncos look for more consistent play in the passing game for 2026 and beyond. Attaining that goal should set the team up for another playoff run.
The Broncos’ original long-term investment in Paton provided a strong return. Penner and Co. will hope this second one continues a run of productive moves in the front office. With Payton’s job security certainly not an issue at this point, organizational stability for the foreseeable future can be expected in Denver’s case.