Favorite is out in GM search
Gutekunst gets new deal to stay with Packers
The front-runner ran away Friday.
Packers executive Brian Gutekunst, who was viewed as the favorite to fill the 49ers’ general-manager vacancy, withdrew from consideration after receiving a new deal from Green Bay, a source said. His decision came a day after Packers executive Eliot Wolf withdrew from consideration after he also received a new contract.
Wolf ’s withdrawal wasn’t a shock, given that it appeared Gutekunst was likely to land with the 49ers and that Wolf has been viewed as a possible heir apparent to Packers general manager Ted Thompson, 64.
However, Gutekunst’s withdrawal came a day after another report suggested he was the 49ers’ top candidate. On Thursday, the Milwaukee Jour-
nal Sentinel cited a source close to the 49ers’ search as saying, “It’s been Gutekunst for two weeks.”
Now, it’s evidently Vikings assistant general manager George Paton or Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough. The 49ers have reportedly lined up a second interview with Paton, and McDonough is still under considerations.
Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ presumptive head coach, can’t be hired until Atlanta’s season ends. If the Falcons beat the Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Shanahan is expected to meet with general manager candidates in Atlanta next week.
It’s possible the 49ers’ opening has become less attractive because it’s clear the next GM won’t pick the head coach. In addition, it’s not clear how much personnel control the GM will have in the partnership with Shanahan, 37, who has never been a head coach.
The 49ers turned to Shanahan after their top choice, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, withdrew from consideration Monday. Shanahan became their final remaining candidate after Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable withdrew Tuesday when it became clear he wouldn’t get the job.
Both Seahawks executives who interviewed for the GM opening, Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer, were interested in the position only if the 49ers hired Cable, a source said. Kirchner formally withdrew from consideration Tuesday.
The 49ers, who have interviewed nine GM candidates, began their search with Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard and Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio high on their list, but both declined interview requests. Ballard also had interest in the position only if the 49ers hired Cable, a source said.
The 49ers have also interviewed Carolina assistant GM Brandon Beane, Indianapolis vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III and ESPN analyst and former NFL executive Louis Riddick. They weren’t invited to have second interviews. DC candidate: The 49ers are continuing to pursue Gus Bradley for their defensive coordinator position after the former Jaguars head coach initially declined the job. A source said Bradley wasn’t interested in the opening because he wanted to work with Cable, but the NFL Network reported the 49ers have persisted and raised their contract offer.
The Chargers are also interested in Bradley, 50, who had a 14-48 record in Jacksonville. Bradley was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator from 2009-12. Ex-coach interviews: Former 49ers head Jim Tomsula has interviewed for the Saints’ defensive line coach opening, the Sporting News reported.
Tomsula spent last year out of the NFL after he was fired following a 5-11 season in 2015 in his lone year as the 49ers’ head coach. Tomsula was the 49ers’ defensive line coach for eight seasons before he was promoted.