Searching for a new GM for a second time in three years, the Titans are moving forward after firing Ran Carthon. They have sent out three GM interview requests, with familiar names — albeit one with a slight adjustment — surfacing early.
Tennessee sent out interview slips to Kansas City assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and Cleveland AGM Catherine Hickman, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Hickman was formerly Catherine Raiche; she has been with the Browns since the 2022 offseason. The team also sent a request to meet with Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.
Hickman remains one of the frontrunners to become the NFL’s first modern-era woman GM. She has been part of the GM carousel in the past, having interviewed for the Vikings’ top front office job in 2022. Hickman came over from the Eagles in 2022, being one of four Philly execs to earn an assistant GM job elsewhere that offseason. Hickman arrived in Cleveland months after the team’s Deshaun Watson trade/extension, which may well be important given where that arrangement has headed.
The other team in need at GM, the Jets, is interviewing Borgonzi today. Because the Chiefs earned a first-round bye, their GM and HC candidates — thus far Borgonzi and Matt Nagy, respectively — can meet with clubs virtually this week. Borgonzi has been with the Chiefs since 2009, predating Andy Reid‘s tenure. The Scott Pioli-era hire has climbed the ladder during the Reid-Brett Veach years, however, becoming the AFC superpower’s assistant GM in 2021. Borgonzi has a strong relationship with Titans president of football ops Chad Brinker, SI.com’s Albert Breer adds, so this will be something to follow closely in the days to come.
Gray joins Brian Gaine as Bills execs to receive an interview slip during this year’s cycle; the Jets requested a Gaine audience. Gray has been part of past GM cycles, most recently interviewing for the Chargers and Raiders’ jobs. He declined a Patriots interview, joining multiple others, as most correctly predicted Eliot Wolf would remain in charge post-Bill Belichick. Gray will have another opportunity now.
“Hickman remains one of the frontrunners to become the NFL’s first modern-era woman GM”
Was there a female GM before the modern era? If so, when and where?
Maybe you should ask google.
I was gonna Ask Jeeves, but I don’t think he’s around anymore. So I asked Google and got this:
In 1983 the Philadelphia Eagles hired Susan Tose Spencer as their GM.
Nope on Hickman.
Anyone part of the Browns front office that brought in Deshaun Watson under that contract should be disqualified immediately.
Borgonzi would be my choice.
Teams should also be looking at Mark Azevedo Vice President of Player Personnel for the Ravens
Azevedo is entering his 20th season in Baltimore and is being promoted from the assistant director of player personnel, a title he held for the past two years (2022-23). Before that, he served six seasons as a Northeast scout, covering schools in the ACC, AAC, Big Ten, Big 12, Ivy League, MAC, MEAC and SEC. Azevedo originally joined the organization in 2005 as a player personnel assistant and has coordinated the Ravens’ post-draft rookie free agent signing process for several years.
“Mark does a great job collaborating with our analysts and scouts alike,” DeCosta stated. “He’s a skilled evaluator who has overseen our undrafted free agency and local pro days with great success. Innovative and well-versed in all areas of scouting, Mark will work with George directing both college and pro scouting.”
If you read the article, she was brought in a few months after the Watson deal.
If you know how articles work, that was added after my comment was posted. Initially the article said
Tennessee sent out interview slips to Kansas City assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and Cleveland AGM Catherine Hickman, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Hickman was formerly Catherine Raiche; she has been with the Browns since the 2022 offseason. The team also sent a request to meet with Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.
Which is still there.
It’s hard to view this news on Hickman as anything but a distraction. The owner fires Vrabel, a coach many have respect for and many teams would love to hire, and fires two GMs in 3 years. No one can blame the coach or front office anymore. Instead of discussing the lack of vision or plan this organization has and how bad the owner is doing people will take the bait on this.
I tend to agree that this has “red herring” written all over it. It reminds of those stories that Condoleezza Rice was going to coach the Browns…lol.