Women have begun making inroads to GM consideration in recent years. The Broncos’ Kelly Kleine Van Calligan joined longtime NFL exec Dawn Aponte in interviewing for GM posts (with the Raiders and Chargers, respectively) in 2024. This came after then-Eagles exec Catherine Raiche met with the Vikings about their GM job two years ago.
The Browns soon hired Raiche as assistant GM, putting her squarely on the radar to earn future consideration for a top front office post. The Buccaneers have a veteran exec who may join the above-referenced women on the GM interview circuit soon. Bucs VP of football research Jacqueline Davidson looks to be on the radar as well.
Many within the NFL expect Davidson to eventually become the first female GM, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello. (This would apply to the modern era, as Susan Tose Spencer operated as the Eagles’ de facto GM in the mid-1980s.) Davidson has been with the Bucs since 2020, after having spent 12 years with the Jets, rising to the club’s director of football administration. Davidson served under multiple GMs in New York, with Costello adding she was highly respected within the organization.
Davidson has not interviewed for a GM post yet but has been in the league since 2004. A Jets hire during Mike Tannenbaum‘s GM run, Davidson stayed on under John Idzik and then Mike Maccagnan. After having served as a Jets chief negotiator, Davidson has played a central role in Bucs contract talks for the past few offseasons, rising to her current post in 2023. Working with GM Jason Licht and cap chief Mike Greenberg in helping the Super Bowl LV-winning team retain its 22 starters for the 2021 season, Davidson played bigger roles in extending Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr. this offseason. Greenberg, who started his NFL career as a Jets intern during Davidson’s New York tenure, has been on the GM carousel for a bit from Licht’s Tampa Bay staff.
The Rooney Rule mandates teams interview two external minorities for all GM and HC positions. Women are included under this umbrella for interview purposes. Raiche did not land the Minnesota job in 2022 but soon helped replace eventual Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in Cleveland that summer. She did not interview for a position this offseason.
The 2025 offseason will feature at least one GM opening, after the Jets fired Joe Douglas, with more vacancies likely coming. A disappointing Jaguars season has Trent Baalke on the hot seat, while Andrew Berry (Browns), Joe Schoen (Giants) and Ryan Poles (Bears) are not assured of returning next year. It will be interesting to see if any women are part of the 2025 GM carousel.