Champ

Kelly

Kelly had been in the position for the Raiders for three seasons and recently interviewed for the Jaguars’ general manager position before being let go by the Raiders. He worked his way through multiple organizations before his most recent position. Kelly served as a collegiate scout, assistant coordinator of pro and college scouting, and assistant director of professional personnel with the Broncos. He was also director of pro scouting and assistant director of player personnel for the Bears. That level of professional experience likely warrants another look by a different franchise.

Kelly has ascended through the ranks of the Broncos, Bears and Raiders’ personnel departments over the last 17 seasons. He briefly held the Raiders’ 2023 interim general manager position but returned to the assistant role for 2024. The Jaguars announced that Kelly’s interview “concludes [their] virtual interviews” and that they “will begin in-person interviews next week.”

According to Reed, the Raiders held second interviews with interim GM Champ Kelly, former Chargers GM Tom Telesco, and Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds. Reed also adds that owner Mark Davis “expressed hesitation” about hiring a rookie GM and head coach, which could tilt the job in Telesco’s favor. Telesco last served as the Chargers’ GM from 2013 through 2023 and was fired last December when the team also opted to cut ties with coach Brandon Staley.

As Fowler points out, his involvement in the hiring process bodes well for his odds of landing the full-time general manager job. The Raiders will explore several options after cleaning house midseason, but Kelley may survive the turnover despite the firings of GM Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels. Kelly joined the Raiders with the rest of the New England alums as the assistant general manager two years ago.

Kelly will work alongside GM Dave Ziegler, who comes from New England. Kelly got his start in the NFL as a scout for the Broncos in 2007. His last job with Denver was as their assistant director of pro personnel. He left to take on a larger role for the Bears in 2015. Kelly has earned multiple interviews for GM openings in recent years and will get his shot soon if things go well in Las Vegas.

Kelly has been tied to the Panthers & Broncos GM job as well, and also interviewed for the Jets job in 2019. Kelly served as Denver’s assistant director of pro personnel from 2011-2014. He was the Bears’ director of pro scouting before becoming the team’s director of player personnel, overseeing player evaluations, advanced scouting, free agency, and talent evaluation. He also assists the team’s college scouting staff with player evaluations and trades for the NFL draft.

It’s a natural fit, as Kelly spent eight years in the Broncos’ front office before heading to Chicago and working alongside current Broncos coach Vic Fangio for four seasons. Kelly will also interview for the Panthers’ opening. Kelly interviewed with the Jets in 2019.

Kelly landed an interview in 2019 for the Jets’ general manager position. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the Broncos could also ask Kelly for an interview to fill their newly open GM spot. Kelly served as Denver’s assistant director of pro personnel from 2011-2014. He was the Bears’ director of pro scouting before becoming the team’s director of player personnel, overseeing player evaluations, advanced scouting, free agency, and talent evaluation. He also assists the team’s college scouting staff with player evaluations and trades for the NFL draft.

Kelly will be the fourth executive to interview for the position, but the favorite to win the job remains Eagles VP of player personnel Joe Douglas, who has spent time with Adam Gase. It should be just a matter of days for the Jets to announce the decision, but Kelly is a name to remember even if he doesn’t land this one.