Packers Expected To Bring Back Joe Philbin
Prior to what amounted to a failed stint coaching the Dolphins, Joe Philbin operated as the Packers’ offensive coordinator. It looks like he will be headed back to Green Bay for a similar role.
The Packers are expected to rehire Philbin as a key member of their offensive staff, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports. While Philbin might not be given the title of offensive coordinator, Demovsky notes the former Green Bay assistant would assume many of the duties commonly associated with that title. Mike McCarthy will keep play-calling responsibilities, Demovsky reports.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets Philbin will be interviewed by his former organization soon, so signs are pointing toward a reunion between the 56-year-old coach and his longest-tenured NFL employer. Philbin coached with the Packers from 2003-11, comprising part of Mike Sherman and McCarthy’s staffs during that span. He was the Green Bay OC from 2007-11. Philbin spent the past two seasons working as the Colts’ offensive line coach.
The Packers are currently filling out their offensive and defensive staffs amid a substantial overhaul. Offensively, the team dismissed OC Edgar Bennett, and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt let his contract expire to pursue other possible opportunities, Demovsky notes. Wideouts coach Luke Getsy took a job at Mississippi State.
Reggie McKenzie Declined Opportunity To Interview For Packers GM Gig
We heard earlier this morning that the Packers request to interview Seahawks general manager John Schneider was denied. Well, it sounds like the Seattle executive wasn’t the only big-name option that Green Bay was targeting. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Packers requested permission to interview Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie for their vacancy. McKenzie declined the request and plans on sticking around as Jon Gruden‘s GM in Oakland. Yesterday, ESPN.com’s Jim Trotter tweeted similar news.
Following an eight-year playing career, McKenzie actually got his first NFL front office gig with the Packers. After starting as a scout, McKenzie eventually worked his way up to the position of director of football operations. He later moved on to Oakland, where he took the general manager job in 2012. Since then, McKenzie has played a role in the team’s underwhelming 36-60 record, including three seasons with four wins or less. However, the Raiders did make the playoffs with a 12-4 record in 2016, earning McKenzie 2016 NFL Executive of the Year honors.
Yesterday, the Raiders signed Gruden to a massive 10-year, $100MM deal to become their next head coach. Subsequent reports indicated that McKenzie could lose some power in the organization, although he’ll retain the role of general manager. The team plans on adding an EVP of Football Operations to oversee personnel, and they’ve also been targeting some young executives from around the league.
The Packers interviewed director of football operations Eliot Wolf earlier this week, and they’ve also spoken to VP of football administration Russ Ball and director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst. Former Bills GM Doug Whaley is expected to be the first external candidate to interview for the gig later today. The Packers were previously rejected from interviewing Vikings executive George Paton. The team has been seeking a new general manager since Ted Thompsonwas removed from the role earlier this week.
Seahawks Deny Packers Permission To Interview John Schneider For GM Job
The Packers are aiming high in their search for a new general manager. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the organization “submitted paperwork for permission” to interview current Seahawks general manager John Schneider. The request was ultimately denied.
The Packers interviewed director of football operations Eliot Wolf earlier this week, and they’ve also spoken to VP of football administration Russ Ball and director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst. Former Bills GM Doug Whaley is expected to be the first external candidate to interview for the gig later today. The Packers were previously rejected from interviewing Vikings executive George Paton. The team has been seeking a new general manager since Ted Thompson was removed from the role earlier this week.
However, despite the seemingly long list of candidates, you couldn’t blame the Packers organization for targeting Schneider, a Green Bay-native. The executive has been one of the most successful general managers in the NFL since he took over the Seahawks job in 2010. Seattle has compiled a 79-48-1 record over his eight years on the job, including a Super Bowl win and pair of NFC Championships. Working in tandem with head coach Pete Carroll, Schneider has been responsible for the late-round selections of Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Kam Chancellor, as well as the signings of undrafted free agents Doug Baldwin and Thomas Rawls.
Rapoport notes that Schneider signed an extension that runs through 2021, and it doesn’t contain an out-clause for Green Bay. As a result, the Packers would only be able to hire the general manager after completing a trade with Seattle. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says that the Packers could push the fact that Schneider isn’t a “high-level employee” considering Carroll’s presence in the front office. However, that would require Green Bay to “certify a dispute” with commissioner Roger Goodell, and it would surely lead to some bad blood between the two organizations.
Packers Interview Russ Ball, Brian Gutekunst
With Ted Thompson out as general manager in Green Bay, the team has finished interviewing internal candidates regarding the vacant position. After the the Packers spoke with director of football operations Eliot Wolf yesterday, they just finished up talking to VP of football administration Russ Ball and director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst this afternoon, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). Breer adds that the Packers will speak with their first external candidate for the position in former Bills GM Doug Whaley tomorrow.
This is the first time that Green Bay is looking for a new leader of the team’s football operations in 13 years. There’s been a recent report that Ball is the favorite to become the next general manager for the Packers. However, there’s been speculation that should the job go to Ball, Wolf and Gutekunst would head to different teams. Although, should one of the two get the job the other would stay in the front office.
While Whaley is the lone person from outside the organization that ownership is scheduled to meet with at the moment, the Packers did get rejected from interviewing Vikings executive George Paton and still have their eye on scheduling a meeting with long time Ravens front office member Eric Decosta. However, Decosta seems like a longshot considering his willingness to stay as the “general manager in waiting” behind Ozzie Newsome.
Lions Block Teryl Austin From Packers
Request denied. The Lions will not allow Teryl Austin to interview with the Packers for their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
This week, the Lions permitted Austin to interview with the Bengals, so this could be a move to stifle a divisional rival. Alternatively, this could be a sign that the Lions are now giving serious consideration to promoting Austin to head coach. The Lions met with Austin this week to discuss the position, making him one of seven known candidates for the gig.
This is the second time today that the Packers have been shut down when trying to poach talent from another team in the NFC North. On Friday morning, the Vikings denied their request to interview executive George Paton.
Packers Want To Interview Teryl Austin
[UPDATE: The Lions have denied the Packers’ request]
The Packers are seeking to interview Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin for their vacant defensive coordinator position, a source tells NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The team will also their own secondary coach Darren Perry for the same job. 
Austin figures to be a popular name this offseason. In early December, the Fritz Pollard Alliance listed him as one of four excellent minority candidates for head coaching jobs. The Lions met with Austin this week to discuss their own head coaching vacancy and the Bengals are meeting with Austin on Friday to about their DC opening.
Austin interviewed for a dozen head coaching positions over the past three seasons, but has not yet been given his shot. If he is unable to land a head coaching job this offseason, he may look to build his DC resume elsewhere. The Packers would give Austin the opportunity to hook on with a potential contender and make the Lions regret overlooking him.
Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie To Lose Power In Organization?
The ripple effect of Jon Gruden‘s arrival will be felt throughout the Raiders organization. The question is – will it affect the scope of GM Reggie McKenzie‘s power? We have some conflicting word on that front.
The Raiders will keep Reggie McKenzie as GM but will be hiring an EVP of Football Operations to oversee personnel, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. He adds that the team could also hire a young executive. It’s possible that the young exec in question is Brian Heimerdinger, who Alex Marvez of the Sporting News (Twitter link) recently suggested as a Gruden target. Heimerdinger remains under contract with the Jets, so the Raiders will have to work something out with Gang Green if they want to bring him on board.
Not everyone is convinced that McKenzie’s role will be reduced. Jim Trotter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears that McKenzie turned down an opportunity to interview with the Packers, a possible indication that he’ll still maintain some control over the 53-man roster in Oakland.
Packers Want To Interview Ravens’ Eric DeCosta
The Packers are seeking to interview Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta, according to Mike Florio of PFT. It’s not immediately clear whether a formal request has been submitted. If the Packers have in fact asked for a meeting, it’s not Ravens or DeCosta himself have consented. 
[RELATED: Packers Request Interview With George Paton, Vikings Say No]
In the past, DeCosta has turned down potential opportunities to become a GM elsewhere. He has been in the Ravens organization for more than 20 years and is widely viewed as the heir apparent to GM Ozzie Newsome.
For now, there are three known candidates for the Packers job, and they’re all in-house. Director of football operations Eliot Wolf interviewed on Thursday, Director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst has his interview today (per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, on Twitter), and VP of football administration Russ Ball should follow shortly thereafter. The Packers asked to interview Vikings exec George Paton, but the request was denied by their NFC North rivals.
Vikings Deny Packers Permission To Interview George Paton For GM Job
We have some intra-divisional drama.The Packers requested permission to interview Vikings assistant GM George Paton for their GM job, but Minnesota declined the request, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
Typically, teams do not stand in the way of a coach or executive interviewing for a higher position elsewhere. However, teams can decline requests from other clubs while their season is in progress. The Vikings are exercising that right, presumably because they do not want to do any favors for the rival Packers.
Paton was a GM candidate for the Colts and 49ers openings last year before those jobs went to Chris Ballard and John Lynch, respectively. He was also asked to interview for the Chiefs when they surprised everyone by dumping John Dorsey in the summer, but he declined.
As shown in PFR’s GM Search Tracker, here’s where things stand in Green Bay:
- Russ Ball, vice president of football administration/player finance (Packers): To be interviewed; viewed as favorite?
- Brian Gutekunst, director of player personnel (Packers): To be interviewed
- George Paton, assistant GM (Vikings): Interview requested, permission denied
- Eliot Wolf, director of football operations (Packers): Interviewed on 1/4
- Doug Whaley, former general manager (Bills): Mentioned as candidate
2018 NFL General Manager Search Tracker
Two clubs — the Packers and Texans — are now looking for new general managers. We’ll keep track of all developments related to those two vacancies in this post. It can be found on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features.”
[RELATED: 2018 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
Listed below are the GM candidates that have been linked to Green Bay and Houston, 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 2-25-18 (3:37pm CT)
Carolina Panthers
- Marty Hurney, interim general manager (Panthers): Hired
- Ryan Cowden, director of player personnel (Titans): Mentioned as candidate
- Lake Dawson, assistant director of college scouting (Bills): Interviewed on 2/2; received second interview
- Martin Mayhew, senior personnel executive (49ers): Interviewed on 2/2
- Jimmy Raye III, vice president of player personnel (Texans): Interviewed on 2/1
Green Bay Packers
- Brian Gutekunst, director of player personnel (Packers): Hired
- Russ Ball, vice president of football administration/player finance (Packers): Interviewed
- Eric DeCosta, assistant general manager (Ravens): Declined to interview
- Reggie McKenzie, general manager (Raiders): Declined to interview
- George Paton, assistant general manager (Vikings): Interview permission denied
- John Schneider, general manager (Seahawks): Interview permission denied
- Eliot Wolf, director of football operations (Packers): Interviewed on 1/4
- Doug Whaley, former general manager (Bills): Interviewed
Houston Texans
- Brian Gaine, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Hired
- Nick Caserio, director of player personnel (Patriots): Interview permission denied
- Joe Douglas, VP of player personnel (Eagles): Interview permission denied
- Brian Gutekunst, director of player personnel (Packers): Requested interview
- Will McClay, VP of player personnel (Cowboys): Declined to interview
- Monti Ossenfort, director of college scouting (Patriots): Interview permission denied
- Jimmy Raye III, vice president of football operations/assistant general manager (Texans): Interviewed on 1/8