Kelley: Who Does the New England Patriots GM ‘Search’ Make Sense To?

Some minority candidates appreciate the opportunity to interview for jobs, even if they know they are a longshot for a position or believe they are being used for teams to comply with The Rooney Rule. People in that category have expressed the benefits of “getting their name out there” and that going through the interview process can be very valuable.

But even a longshot candidate has a shot. Does anyone not named Eliot Wolf have any chance at being the New England Patriots hire?

The Job Belongs to Eliot Wolf

Admittedly, I’m not as giddy as some (fans and media alike) about the Patriots offseason. That said, it is truly too early to judge any of it. New England earned a grade of TBD from me on their NFL Draft report card. I liked New England locking up some of their key free agents and extending Mike Onwenu. They also did not “burn some cash” on anyone outside the 2023 New England roster. They have not made any trades (other than trading back in Round 2 of the draft).

Eliot Wolf had a huge hand in hiring the coaching staff, adding to the front office, signing players, and drafting. Whether people love all his moves or not, the 2024 Patriots are his team. Not allowing him to see how they perform in year one seems foolish.

The candidates turning down New England to interview for the position know it is Eliot Wolf’s job too. They aren’t long shots for the job, they are no shots. At least two opted not to help the Kraft family reach The Rooney Rule criteria for a position that isn’t open. It is tough to blame them.

Stating that I’m confused by the Patriots’ process is in no way a knock against the person expected to get it. Eliot Wolf comes across as knowledgeable, thoughtful, and well-prepared. He has been around the NFL his entire life. Wolf seems very comfortable with himself and his role. He also brings a youthful perspective despite being a football lifer. This balance will serve him well.

What’s Next?

The Rooney Rule has excellent intentions. The idea of having more minorities in NFL positions of power, jobs they were not even considered for not too long ago, is great. New England had an opportunity to comply with this rule and hire the right person for the job nearly four months ago. It would have been an attractive job, based on holding the No. 3 overall selection and considerable salary cap space. Eliot Wolf might have emerged as the best candidate.

For some reason, the Patriots opted not to hire a general manager (or head of football operations) in January. They could have interviewed Trey Brown, Quentin Harris, Ray Agnew, Alonzo Highsmith, Robyn Glaser, or anyone else they are now interviewing (or trying to).

If Eliot Wolf does not get the general manager’s job, why has he wielded so much power this offseason? Would “connections to Eliot Wolf” have been as prevalent for a staff he was not running? And if Eliot Wolf does get the job, it will confirm to many that The Rooney Rule is the sole reason New England is asking these people to interview, making a sham out of the hiring process.

Maybe I’m off base here and Eliot Wolf has proven something to the Kraft family over the past four months they felt unsure about before then. And, despite that positive impression, they are still trying to interview other people for the job, to see if they can upgrade. While conceding the decision-makers in New England are likely much smarter than this scribe, this seeming charade makes no sense to me. I’m happy to listen if I’m missing something.

The New England Patriots hiring a general manager felt like a no-lose situation. Somehow it has become a no-win situation, from a public relations standpoint. Maybe not “The Dynasty series” bad, but not great either. If the Patriots attempt to “comply” with The Rooney Rule and still hire Eliot Wolf, it likely comes across poorly to many in the NFL. Sadly, it appears this entire controversy could have been easily avoided.