The Washington Redskins fired general manager Scott McCloughan on Thursday, reportedly due to his problems with alcohol. The move left Washington without a GM just as free agency was beginning—i.e. right when it’s most important to have a GM.
Now, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Field Yates report that the team’s next top football decision-maker could come from the media ranks, as the team is interested in hiring NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock has emerged as a candidate to become Washington’s general manager, sources tell @FieldYates and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2017
UPDATE: NFL Network has issued a statement from Mayock denying Schefter’s report.
Mayock was a star defensive back for Boston College from 1978-80 and played for the New York Giants in 1982 and 1983. Since then he has worked in television, covering mostly college football and basketball, including a five-year stint as NBC color commentator for Notre Dame football.
Now at NFL Network, Mayock has emerged as one of the top draft gurus on television, an NFL Network answer to Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.
Mayock would certainly be an unconventional hire for Washington, given that he has never worked in a front office, but according to ESPN, this is not the first time has been considered for a position with an NFL team. In the past, Mayock has reportedly turned down front-office gigs to remain on TV.
Per Schefter and Yates, ESPN analyst Mark Dominik is also a candidate for Washington’s GM position. Washington is reportedly in no rush to hire a GM and could wait until after the NFL Draft in late April.
[ESPN]