We heard earlier today that the Chiefs are expected to pursue an extension for head coach Andy Reid, who is under contract through 2017, at the end of the season. But general manager John Dorsey, who, like Reid, came to Kansas City in 2013, is already in the final year of his deal, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Dorsey could take over the Packers’ GM job next season.
Ted Thompson, the Packers’ current GM, has two years remaining on his contract, but the 63-year-old could step aside to a senior scouting role, which Rapoport reported last week. If that happens, the door could be open for Dorsey to return to Green Bay, where he first found front office success.
Dorsey helped to build the Packers into a consistent contender, first as a college scout from 1991-97 and then as director of college scouting in 1998. After a one-year stint as the Seahawks’ director of player personnel in 1999, Dorsey returned to the Packers, where he served as the team’s director of college scouting from 2000-11 and as the director of football operations in 2012.
Per Rapoport, Dorsey’s success in his various roles with Green Bay made him incredibly well-regarded by the club’s executive committee, including president and CEO Mark Murphy. In addition to Dorsey, Thompson’s list of potential successors includes current director of football operations Eliot Wolf–who was long considered to be the heir apparent to Thompson but who interviewed for the 49ers’ GM job last week–vice president of football administration Russ Ball, director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst and senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith.
It is interesting to note that, whether the Chiefs blocked current director of player personnel Chris Ballard from interviewing for the 49ers’ job or whether he turned down San Francisco’s overtures on his own–there are conflicting reports on that front–the fact remains that Ballard will remain in Kansas City. It could be, as Rapoport suggests (via Twitter), that Ballard plans to be elevated to the Chiefs’ GM job sooner rather than later.
As long as Thompson steps down, everything will work itself out.
What does that mean?
Thompson has been one of the leagues 5 best GMs over the past 10 years.
– Hiring McCarthy after an exhaustive search
– Drafting Rodgers
– continually finding Offensive weapons for Rodgers
– building continuity along the O Line whilst keeping it young, and producing several pro bowlers
– over coming the loss of franchise anchor and All Pro Nick Collins; similar with Finley
– having a GM Tree of very successful men (McKenzie in OAK, Dorsey and Schneider in SEA)
– keeping the cap very healthy
– being selective with FA signings like Charles Woodson, Peppers (who was released), Cook, Guion,
– identifying un drafted rookies who can really play. Sam Shields is the poster boy, Geronimo Allison could be the next
– making maximum use of the practice squad, GB is a destination franchise for young guys looking to get a shot. They even overpay guys like Price to keep them off the 53-man from other teams
– making aggressive draft-day deals to get players like Clay Mathews,
He’s been outstanding. Stubborn, for perhaps not signing one or two more UFAs? Maybe.
But he doesnt seem easy to replace unless they promote from within