Wolf, Gutekunst Rumored to Be Leading Candidates for 49ers

We haven’t heard much on this front since the San Francisco 49ers came to Green Bay last Thursday to interview Packers execs Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst for their vacant general manager job. The 49ers have been casting a wide net and there hasn’t been any indication on which way they might go, until this.

I believe Packers execs Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst are the leading contenders for 49ers GM job at this time.

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 9, 2017

We’re going to call this a rumor at this point because Silver, who works for NFL Network, is merely saying he “believes” Wolf and Gutekenst are the leading contenders. He has confirmed nothing. At least that’s how we read it.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t true, of course.

This has all played out in an interesting fashion. In previous years, Packers GM Ted Thompson has blocked certain staff members, including Wolf, from interviewing with other teams. Allowing Wolf and Gutekunst to do so this year while the Packers’ season was still in progress was a 180.

There have also been rumors that Thompson may step aside this offseason. It was assumed by most that Wolf would be his replacement, but that is no longer a certainty.

Still, the Packers have a number of prospective GM candidates if Thompson does take a step back, including Kansas City GM John Dorsey.