Here’s the guy that everyone seems to want. The Green Bay Packers requested to interview former Packers’ personnel executive, De Pere native and current Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider.
Predictably, the request was denied.
The #Packers are swinging big on their GM search. Green Bay submitted paperwork for permission to interview #Seahawks Super Bowl-winning GM John Schneider, I’m told. The request for the Green Bay native was denied.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2018
However, it doesn’t sound like that window is totally closed.
The Packers have two avenues they could pursue if they really want Schneider. He is said to be coach Mike McCarthy’s first choice, as well as some of those currently in the Packers’ personnel department. Schneider would also be a win with fans.
Option one for the Packers is to make the argument that the Packers’ general manager position would be a promotion. Technically, that is true. Schneider shares personnel decisions with coach Pete Carroll in Seattle. The Packers’ general manager is autonomous.
Option two for the Packers would be to offer the Seahawks compensation in the form of a draft pick and/or money for Schneider. I have a hard time seeing the Packers parting with a high draft pick, but maybe a third-rounder and some cash would get it done. And if that’s the case, then get it done.
Thus far, the Packers have only interviewed internal candidates for the general manager job. Those are director of football operations Eliot Wolf, director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst and director of player finance Russ Ball.
The Packers have been rebuffed by former Packers personnel exec and current Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie and the Minnesota Vikings, when they attempted to interview assistant general manager George Paton.
The team will interview former Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley and they are known to be interested in Baltimore Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta.