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The Philadelphia Eagles might not hire a "general manager," as Jeffrey Lurie said, but the team is expected to hire a new personnel chief, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Chris Mortensen had it first:
Now begins a search for a new coach and a new general manager, or it very could well be a director of player personnel who evolves into the GM. Howie Roseman, who was ingloriously pushed aside to formally give Kelly the control he desired a year who, will remain as the vice president of football operations. But, as of now, Roseman will not be the general manager again. Tom Donahoe has been promoted to head the personnel department but he has no desire to serve as the GM at this stage of life. The search has begun for a new personnel director and a new coach.
Several other NFL insiders have since clarified ESPN's report.
Following up on what @mortreport said re: Eagles, league source says the team will be looking to hire a head of personnel at some point.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 31, 2015
Though Eagles haven't used "interim" tag on Tom Donahoe, that's basically what he is. Long-term personnel head to be hired at some point.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 31, 2015
My take is he will have a say in personnel, just not total. That's the setup now with Donahoe. https://t.co/V6VYbTiNDi
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 31, 2015
#Eagles have Tom Donahoe running personnel dept. for now. Source says they'll hire a personnel chief to run day-to-day operations soon.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2015
Don't believe #Eagles will hire a GM. Will work with Howie RT @OAKLEAF24: @RapSheet is that basically a GM or is Howie the GM?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2015
So it sounds like Donahoe is just a placeholder until the Eagles hire someone new to take his place soon. It also sounds like Philadelphia's new personnel chief will work closely with former general manager Howie Roseman.
This might be a good sign for the Eagles because a Roseman and Donahoe combination isn't very inspiring. It depends who the Eagles hire, though. There is some speculation that it might be former Philadelphia executive and current Colts general manager Ryan Grigson:
Should the Colts make sweeping changes, GM Ryan Grigson is still very highly thought of by Eagles brass in evaluating capacity
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 30, 2015
@therealjimaros My theory is he's a strong possibility because he'd work very well with Howie. But a move is coming regardless.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 31, 2015
A combination of Roseman and Grigson is even less inspiring than Roseman and Donahoe working together. Grigson has not had a lot of success in Indianapolis. Drafting Andrew Luck at No. 1 was a no-brainer. Trading for Vontae Davis and drafting T.Y. Hilton might be the only other good moves he's made. Don't forget that Grigson was the guy who traded a first round pick for Trent Richardson.
The Eagles need more talent. In order to acquire more talent, they need a better personnel department. They really need to get this hire right.