The Era of Surprising GM and Head Coach Decisions in the NFL

The NFL seems to be in a perplexing phase at the moment. It’s the era of teams holding on to ineffective general managers (GMs) while simultaneously firing head coaches who are deemed underperforming. The likes of Trent Baalke and Ryan Poles were expected to be on the way out, yet they remain in their respective positions. In a world where coaching staff turnover is a regular part of the league, it’s surprising that only two GM positions are open as of now: the Tennessee Titans and the New York Jets. The landscape is shifting, and it’s hard to ignore the patterns.

Jets’ Rapid and Thorough Search

The Jets are setting a fast pace in their search for a new GM. Within a short time frame, they’ve interviewed or are set to interview 12 candidates this week alone. Among these is Chris Spielman, the Lions’ special assistant to the CEO. This whirlwind of interviews contrasts sharply with the Titans, who have so far scheduled only two interviews. It’s fascinating to see how the Jets are casting such a wide net in comparison to Tennessee’s more conservative approach.

The Mystery of Ray Agnew

However, what’s even more baffling is the fact that one of the most qualified and prepared candidates for a GM role has yet to receive a single interview. That candidate is Ray Agnew, the Lions’ assistant GM. Agnew has been a key player in the front office since 2017. His previous work with the Rams as their director of pro personnel saw him help shape the team that went to the Super Bowl in 2018 and won it all in 2021. He was instrumental in building those championship rosters.

After joining the Lions alongside Brad Holmes in 2021, Agnew has continued to play a pivotal role in Detroit’s transformation into a competitive force in the NFL. Beyond his hands-on work in roster building, Agnew has participated in all three of the NFL’s front-office and GM accelerator programs. He is widely regarded as a future GM by pundits and insiders. It’s clear that he has all the credentials necessary for the job.

The Curious Lack of Interest

So why hasn’t Agnew received any interview requests yet? Instead, TV analysts, former GMs, and other candidates with less proven track records are getting their chances, while Agnew remains on the sidelines. This is particularly perplexing given the praise Detroit has received for its team-building efforts. Brad Holmes, the Lions’ GM, was named Executive of the Year last season and is in contention to win the award again this year. The Lions’ progress is widely recognized as impressive, yet teams don’t seem eager to tap into that success by considering Agnew for their GM vacancies.

It’s strange that, despite all the attention around Detroit’s impressive work, other teams are not trying to replicate the blueprint. This seems to reflect the poor judgment calls made by many team owners these days. The disconnect is hard to ignore.

The Future for Agnew

There is still some time left in the hiring cycle, and it’s possible that one of the open GM positions will eventually give Agnew the chance he deserves. However, if we were conducting the search, he would have been our top choice from the start. His track record, experience, and deep understanding of team-building make him a standout candidate for any franchise looking to build a winning future. The fact that he hasn’t been considered yet remains one of the NFL’s greatest mysteries this hiring season.