The New England Patriots are bringing in some outside front-office options for interviews today. The Patriots GM search (or head of football operations, whichever title is used) seemed stalled yesterday. New England must comply with The Rooney Rule before hiring anyone, but yesterday multiple minority candidates turned down interview requests. With Eliot Wolf occupying the ‘de facto’ role, some candidates did not want to interview for a job they didn’t believe they had a chance to land.
New England is bringing in two candidates today for interviews, It is not clear whether both are interviewing for the top job or whether this will fulfill the requirements of The Rooney Rule: Brandon Hunt and Samir Suleiman.
Read More: Eight Candidates to Replace Belichick in the Patriots Front Office
Brandon Hunt is the Philadelphia Eagles director of scouting, a position he has held since 2022. He worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 14 seasons (2009-2022). Hunt was pro scouting coordinator in Pittsburgh under Kevin Colbert. He was one of six finalists to replace Colbert in 2022. After not landing the job, he opted to join the Eagles. Hunt is interviewing for the top job, so even if this doesn’t put the Patriots in compliance with The Rooney Rule, it gets them closer.
Samir Suleiman worked with Hunt in Pittsburgh. He joined the Carolina Panthers in 2020. Suleiman’s title with the Panthers was director of player negotiations and salary cap manager. When the Panthers hired new general manager Dan Morgan earlier this offseason, Suleiman did not stay with the franchise, leaving him currently unemployed. He interviewed for the GM post that went to Morgan. Unlike Hunt, it is unclear what role Suleiman is interviewing for in New Engalnd. ESPN’s Adam Schefter labeled it only a “football executive job.”
Both candidates coming to Foxboro could receive job offers even if Eliot Wolf gets the top job with the Patriots, as expected. Not many positions in New England would qualify as a promotion for Hunt. Could Eliot Wolf be named head of football operations with Brandon Hunt as the new general manager? Stay tuned.
Also in today’s Patriots Football Daily:
Kelley: Who does New England’s GM ‘search’ make sense to?
Updated look at the New England Patriots depth chart
Calvin Anderson reveals health issues
CBS Sports – NFL QB Power Rankings
ESPN – Report: WR Boys agrees to deal with the Titans
NBC Sports – Report: Rashee Rice under investigation for assault
NFL.com – Brian Flores compares Vikings rookie to Patriots legend
Yahoo! Sports –Texans Tank Dell to make a full recovery after being shot
Yardbarker – Legendary Broncos DC Joe Collier dies at 91
Go to our sibling site Boston Hockey Now to check out the great Boston Bruins coverage from Jimmy Murphy and the BHN team. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and plenty is happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.
Bruins Daily –ESPN doubts Bruins