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The downside to being one of the NFL’s best teams is that other teams will look to poach members from your organization. The Philadelphia Eagles have a number of assistant coaches who could be hired away this offseason, for example. (We’ll have more on that here at BGN tomorrow.)
But coaches aren’t the only members of the franchise who can be poached. There are also front office executives. This consideration is relevant when it comes to Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas.
Peter King notes that Douglas is currently viewed as one of the top three general manager candidates in the league. Bold emphasis is mine:
I asked four current NFL executives, two of whom have been in the GM market in the last three seasons, about candidates. The three most common names: George Paton, the affable assistant GM for Minnesota who has been an oft-interviewed candidate; rising star Eliot Wolf, Green Bay’s director of football operations and the son of Hall of Famer Ron Wolf; and Eagles VP of player personnel Joe Douglas, who made his bones scouting for the Ravens and is vital to Philly’s recent success.
We don’t necessarily know exactly what moves Douglas has made since being hired by the Eagles in May 2016, but we do know he’s contributed to the Eagles’ success. Douglas is the one who’s responsible for setting Philadelphia’s draft board, though Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman ultimately has final say on all personnel decisions.
The Roseman and Douglas relationship has been fruitful so far. The Eagles have gone 17-11 since Douglas was hired.
It’s possible Douglas could use his success with Philly to springboard himself into a more traditional general manager role where he is the one with final say on personnel decisions.
It sounds like Douglas might already be generating some interest from a division rival.
Had to happen. Clean house early and begin evaluation of potential candidates. A name you’ll hear a lot for #Giants GM — Joe Douglass — Player Personnel Director from the #Eagles. With their success this year, it’s bound to come up.
— Chris Carlin (@ChrisCarlin) December 4, 2017
Imagine if Douglas went to the Giants and he brought Eagles quarterback coach John DeFilippo with him as New York’s new head coach? I’m sorry for even bringing it up.
It’s quite possible Douglas is content with his role in Philly (for now, at least). The Eagles will be bound to offer him a lot of rea$on$ to stay if they feel he’s truly vital to their success.
Something to keep an eye on this offseason, though, as GM vacancies start to open up across the league.