The 49ers’ GM search seems to take a strange twist just about every day.
According to multiple reports, the 49ers are down to two remaining candidates in their lengthy search for a new general manager. Cardinals VP of player personnel Terry McDonough and Vikings assistant general manager George Paton, are reportedly scheduled to meet with the 49ers for a second interview on Saturday, in an attempt to see which one would best pair with presumptive head coach Kyle Shanahan.
John Clayton of ESPN believes that Paton may not be as interested in taking the 49ers job as one would believe, however, especially with the Indianapolis Colts GM job now open. As transcribed by Chris Biderman of Niners Wire, Clayton told the Colts website on Wednesday that from what he knows about Paton, he is unlikely to take the job.
“George and I go back when he was working at the Miami Dolphins when he was working with Rick Spielman, and, of course, he went to Minnesota with Rick Spielman. One, they’re great friends and (George’s) very loyal. And he’s very picky and choosy about going places, because I think he feels so comfortable with his job in Minnesota, that he’ll turn down, maybe, offers and turn down opportunities unless he thinks it’s perfect. And so what you have to wonder, of course, in San Francisco, it’s down to two guys, Terry McDonough and George Paton.
“I would tend to think, knowing George, that he wouldn’t take the job. The reason I say that, is going to be the configuration of the job in San Francisco.
“It appears that Kyle Shanahan’s going to get a five-year deal to be the coach and almost the general manager of the 49ers. I think he’s going to get authority over everything because I think he’s in a position to do this. He’s got maximum leverage. He’s coming off a phenomenal year. It could have been Josh McDaniels doing it, but Josh didn’t want to wait that late.
“So I think that, if you’re George, you sit there and say, ‘I’m comfortable being number two in Minnesota and waiting for the right opportunity. But do I really want to be answering to Kyle Shanahan and not having the power?’ I think if offered, he may turn it down. Again, that’s me thinking the thoughts of someone that I know, but I can’t answer the questions for him.
“Now, I think it’s different deal with Indianapolis, because what you’re now looking at is that rare opportunity to go to a franchise that has a good owner, that’s going to spend what’s necessary to do it, and you get a franchise quarterback. You get Andrew Luck in his prime. And so that’s why, I think that, if he’s going to be the guy that gets offered, that could be the one job that gets George out of Minnesota.”
If Clayton’s assumptions are indeed correct, that would leave the 49ers with McDonough, and possibly ESPN analyst Mark Dominik as their only options. It’s been reported that McDonough’s first choice for a head coach is Shanahan, and the 49ers better hope they hit it off on Saturday with Paton’s status now less certain.
If Paton were to drop out, he would be the third candidate to do so, joining Packers personnel executives Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst, along with Seattle co-director of player personnel Trent Kirchner. The Chiefs Chris Ballard and the Patriots Nick Caserio, thought of by many as the 49ers top choices, also declined to interview for the job weeks ago.