Impressed with his vision for the present and future, his role in building multiple playoff teams and his willingness to be involved in bold moves, the Broncos hired Minnesota Vikings executive George Paton as their general manager on Wednesday.
The Broncos’ nine-day search to replace John Elway, who moved into the role of president of football operations, wrapped up with a hire that was universally praised around the NFL.
A 25-year veteran of pro football personnel, Paton agreed to a six-year contract, the longest given to a Broncos general manager since Lou Saban signed a 10-year deal to become GM/coach in 1967 (he lasted five years).
“This organization has great resources, tremendous people, a talented core of players and an outstanding coaching staff,” Paton (pronounced “Peyton”) said in a statement. “In many ways, I feel like this team is a sleeping giant. For me, it is the right place and the right time for this opportunity.”
Paton, 51, was considered the top general manager candidate among those with no previous GM experience. He also interviewed with the Detroit Lions last week.
“Literally one of the absolute best in the business,” a league source said. “They could not have done better. He should have been a GM years ago. Phenomenal hire.”
When the initial list of candidates was revealed last week, one league executive ranked Paton as the top choice. Paton is expected back in the Denver area this weekend to start his new post.
“Early in the process, it became clear why George has been such a coveted GM candidate for so many years,” Elway said in a statement. “He is a proven evaluator who knows every detail of leading football operations.”
One-day trip to Denver
Paton interviewed with the Broncos via video conferencing last Friday. After the first round of meetings with five candidates, the team asked him to fly to the Denver area Tuesday morning.
The Broncos completed their second interview with New Orleans Saints assistant general manager Terry Fontenot on Zoom at 10 a.m. Senior vice president of operations Chip Conway picked up Paton at the Centennial Airport, which is down the road from the Broncos’ facility. Paton flew privately on a jet leased by the Broncos.
Once at the facility, Paton took a point-of-care coronavirus test. While awaiting the result, he toured the weight room and field house with chief communications officer Patrick Smyth. Among those rehabilitating was receiver Courtland Sutton, who greeted Paton.
Paton’s test was negative, which allowed him access to the main building after he received a COVID-19 tracker. The tour continued to the locker room, meeting rooms and auditorium and Paton had lunch with Elway, president/CEO Joe Ellis and coach Vic Fangio in late owner Pat Bowlen’s conference room. Paton and vice president of football administration Rich Hurtado, the Broncos’ chief contract negotiator met and, upon his request, Paton met privately for an hour with vice president of strategic initiatives Brittany Bowlen, followed by private chats with Ellis and Fangio.
At that point, the Broncos asked Paton if he was interested in the position. He said he was, leading Ellis to reach out to Paton’s agent to begin a contract negotiation. Paton and the Broncos had a 6 p.m. dinner at Elway’s steakhouse in Cherry Creek and Fangio dropped Paton off at the airport at 8:45 p.m. for his 9 p.m. flight back to Minneapolis.
On Wednesday morning, once the contract agreement was imminent, Paton informed the Vikings of his decision and Elway contacted Fontenot, Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly and Broncos director of college scouting Brian Stark to tell them Paton was their choice.
The Denver Post confirmed Paton’s contract agreement at 10:39 a.m., and the Broncos sent out official word at 11:32 a.m. Nine days after Elway stepped down as general manager and five days after Paton’s initial interview, the Broncos had made their choice.
“Throughout this process, I felt a real connection with Joe, John and Vic,” Paton said. “It feels like home. We share the same values on winning and doing things the right way.”
’Very well-respected’
After a college career at UCLA as a defensive back (1988-91), Paton played professionally in leagues in Italy and Austria. He returned to the United States to start his NFL career, working five years in Chicago, six in Miami and the last 14 in Minnesota as general manager Rick Spielman’s chief lieutenant.
Paton has been a general manager candidate since 2012, when he was a finalist in St. Louis. He turned down interview opportunities in 2013 (New York Jets), ’17 (Chicago, Miami and Kansas City) and ’19 (Jets). He interviewed with San Francisco and Indianapolis in ’17.
“Great guy, really good temperament, really good attention to detail, smart, really understands the personnel process and very well-respected,” a league executive said after Paton’s hiring.
The Vikings made the playoffs six times during Paton’s tenure, including NFC conference title game appearances in 2009 (lost in overtime at New Orleans) and 2017 (lost at Philadelphia).
The Vikings showed an ability to draft and develop, but also be aggressive in the free agent and trade markets. Minnesota acquired 22 Pro Bowl players at 12 different positions since 2008 (the first Spielman/Paton draft) — 15 in the draft, two undrafted free agents, four veteran free agents and one player acquired in a trade.
Among the Vikings’ best draft picks under Spielman/Paton: Defensive end Everson Griffin, tight end Kyle Rudolph, safety Harrison Smith, linebacker Anthony Barr, receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive end Danielle Hunter, linebacker Eric Kendricks, running back Dalvin Cook and receiver Justin Jefferson.
At the quarterback position, the Vikings have been aggressive, signing Brett Favre in 2009, trading for Sam Bradford in 2016 after Teddy Bridgewater’s serious knee injury and signing Kirk Cousins in ‘18.
“I believe in hard work, the grind and not taking any shortcuts to achieve our goals,” Paton said. “Drafting and developing players is the No. 1 priority. We will be aggressive — but not reckless — in adding talent to our roster.”
The Broncos’ roster needs talent, period. Their current five-year playoff drought is tied for the second-longest in franchise history and they are 23-41 during that span.
At the top of the to-do list for Paton is quarterback (does he believe Drew Lock merits another year as the starter?), outside linebacker Von Miller’s future (does he feel he’s worth the $22.125 million he counts on the salary cap?) and safety Justin Simmons (does he see a top-of-the-market player who deserves a multi-year contract?). The Broncos also have the ninth overall pick in April’s draft.
The Broncos’ six-year commitment to Paton was likely necessary because of the ownership situation that could result in a sale at some point early in his tenure. He will have plenty of runway to build a winner regardless of who owns the club.
“Getting to know George over the last week, his intelligence, work ethic and leadership skills impressed all of us,” Ellis said. “He has worked nearly 25 years in the NFL to prepare for this challenge and we are very fortunate to have George as our new general manager.”
