Louis

Riddick

The team announced that they completed the interview with the ESPN personality in a post Thursday. Riddick is widely respected around the league, but this would be his first GM gig after previously serving as a Director of Pro Personnel for both the Commanders and the Eagles. The Jets have also reportedly interviewed Thomas Dimitroff, Jon Robinson and Jim Nagy for the position.

Per Schefter, there will be other candidates as well. Robinson will be in New York this coming week with Riddick on deck for the following week. Robinson spent seven years as the Titans’ GM, going 66-48 with four playoff appearances. He only had one losing season in Tennessee but fizzled out at the end of his tenure with two one-and-done postseason berths followed by a 7-10 campaign. Riddick worked his way up the ranks in Washington and Philadelphia, achieving the title of Director of Pro Personnel in both organizations. He currently works as an analyst for ESPN but has been eying a return to football for a while.

Riddick last worked in the NFL as the Eagles Director of Pro Personnel in 2013 and last received an interview (on record) to re-join the league in 2020. Even if the Steelers make an internal hire (as a majority of their known interviews suggest), it’s clear the organization explored a number of options in attempting to replace Kevin Colbert post-draft. Riddick at least seems familiar with the league today given his weekly work on television.

He’s also interviewing with the Texans this week. Riddick has been out of the NFL since he left the Eagles’ front office in 2013. This isn’t the first time he’s had GM interest, with Riddick a finalist for the 49ers’ GM job back in 2017. Riddick’s role at ESPN shifted from analyst to broadcaster this year as part of the Monday Night Football crew. Hiring Riddick would be a pivot from ex-GM Bob Quinn, though it’s probably a long shot. Riddick is the first known candidate to be interviewed by Detroit.

The interview will be conducted in New York sometime next week. Riddick has an extensive background in scouting and was actually drafted by the 49ers in 1991. His last job was with the Eagles as the team’s director of pro personnel from 2010-13. The Niners are also set to interview Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf as well as Packers director of college scouting Brian Gutekunst. San Francisco also reached out to Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard, but he declined an interview request.

The job went to another commentator, John Lynch. Riddick was hoping to team with Patriots OC Josh McDaniels in a package deal, but McDaniels threw a wrench in that plan by staying in New England. “It went awesome,” said Riddick of his interview. “I felt that my plan was rock solid, and if it was something that would’ve worked out for Josh and myself overall, then we would be there.” San Francisco wasn’t meant to be, but Riddick is a name to watch for future openings.

The Chiefs are looking to replace John Dorsey, who was surprisingly let go last week. Riddick interviewed for the 49ers’ GM opening a few months ago but lost out to John Lynch. Riddick has some front office experience, working as the Eagles’ Director of Pro Personnel for a stretch before landing his current job at ESPN.

The news comes from Riddick himself. “The Kansas City Chiefs have not contacted me and there is no interview set up for this week. Source? Me,” he tweeted. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier that the Chiefs were looking to interview Riddick for their GM opening, but apparently that isn’t the case. The Chiefs are searching for a GM to replace John Dorsey, who was fired last week.

The interview was first hinted at by NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones, then confirmed by SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano. Riddick, 48, played safety in the NFL and previously held front-office positions with the Eagles and Redskins, mainly working as a scout. His interview is expected to take place on Thursday. Riddick is one of the sharpest football analysts in media today. He is vying with in-house candidate Marc Ross and current presumed favorite Dave Gettleman for the job. Giants interim GM Kevin Abrams is expected to get a token interview at some point.