The Front Office

KYLE SMITH WILL BE THE NEXT GM OR IT WILL BE A DISASTER!!!!
 
There are a lot of ways to structure a front office and franchise leadership. That's why I think it's wasted energy obsessing over Kyle Smith's title, or whether or not he is at the top of the leadership chain vs. the current set up where regardless of whether we 'name' a GM, Rivera will be in charge. I've stated before, and I think I'm correct, that no NFL HC who has negotiated 'total control' or 'final decision-making' is going to give that up, unless they are on the verge of being fired and it's presented as an ultimatum by the owner. I'm not sure most would give it up even then.

So if you accept that premise, the question then becomes, who is the best guy to help you lead the front office and all that entails - and will that guy be okay NOT being an all powerful GM in the traditional sense? I think many would be okay with that and many may not. We really don't know 2 important things: 1) How highly does Rivera really regard Kyle Smith? and 2) What does Kyle Smith want in terms of his current role and future career?

We just don't know.

Is there even any issue with the current set up? One would have to say that this year has been a relative success with Rivera wearing the top hat. He's been able to deal with a ton of change, several big controversies, and lead the team to competing for the division title. Oh - while battling cancer during the COVID era. I think it's hard to argue that he's in over his head, or that he needs to have a 'real GM' when he's been able to keep it all together during such a challenging first year.

If it were me, I'd carry on with the structure as it is. They have obviously buttressed/supplemented the front office with several big hires, including Wright and Donaldson to manage the non-football stuff. If Rivera likes what he sees in Kyle Smith, maybe they give him a big fat new contract and new title while continuing with Rivera as final decision-maker. Or maybe Rivera wants his own guy in that kind of a role. I think Rivera has a knack for surrounding himself with great, quality people who will mesh with his philosophy and the rest of the staff and I believe he knows how to build a winning organization. We'll have to see if that includes Kyle Smith and whether or not in the long run that is a good thing or not.
 
Call me a homer
Call me someone who has his head in the sand
Call me late for dinner

but, I have a feeling the days of "Danny hires his buddy" is long gone. Ron doesn't seem like he would tolerate it, and Dan is in enough trouble as is that his focus needs to be away from the team.

I trust Ron enough to see what he does. Whether it is his old partner from Carolina, Kyle, or someone else. I believe he is going to have this teams best interest in mind.
 
That's that Bill Bellichick/Joe Gibbs style answer.

There is nothing else to say here. You can't even comment on him being drama or causing room for discussion.
 
Report: Washington has 'interest' in Texans former GM Rick Smith.

 
Unless Smith wants the hell out of town this is a bad decision from RR. Smith’s been kicking ass and is already in house, why Ron would want or need another panther minion makes zero sense to me.
 
The new org has pretty good Op Sec from what I've seen. I wouldn't take anything I'm hearing as gospel (especially from JLC - who isn't always wrong, but who I doubt has any iron clad sources in the current org).

On the other hand, there's a long tradition in the NFL of new regimes wanting their 'own guys'. We naturally don't like it when it happens, because by definition, we know our own folks and are not familiar with whoever may be brought in to replace them.

Kyle Smith, by all accounts, has done a hell of a job. I'm sure if he's really the one who should be credited with the improvements we've seen (especially in talent acquisition) that hasn't escaped Rivera's notice. But we also have to remember it takes two to tango. It's quite possible that Ron and Kyle have had (or will) multiple conversations about his future role, and even possible Smith is/was Rivera's first choice for GM, but that Smith isn't interested in the job if he doesn't have final say/authority. It's also possible that, for whatever reason, Smith isn't a good fit for him, or perhaps that he feels another candidate is a better fit.

Be interesting to watch how things evolve in the offseason.
 
It worked out so well when they let John Schneider go to Seattle.......
 
JLC with a little info on the GM 'search'

 
Morroco Brown was awful here and got more time in this organization than he should.

JLC loves throwing hockey on the wall in hopes that something sticks.
 
The danger in leaving Kyle Smith in a sub-GM role is that other teams like the Rams and 49ers where coaches respect Smith can then go ahead and interview him without Washington's permission.

Look, Martin Mayhew has already been a GM in Detroit with the Lions and was fired before the team accomplished anything of note. He's already in his 50's, what is he going to bring to the job that is new or fresh?

The last thing I want to do is reach out to former Redskins players or staff because they are alumni.

Other teams like the Packers, Raiders and 49ers did that in the past from their glory days and they didn't start winning again until they brought in new talent in coaching and the front office.
 
Rplowden55 said:
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they’re gonna give Kyle a shot at it. He’s not even in their mentions. SAD! It’s gonna be a Sean McVay situation all over again.
Click to expand...


I saw one of the reporters projecting that he ultimately gets the job.

The funny thing is I felt the same way, then I have to continue to tell myself that NONE of the big news coming out of Ashburn has been 'leaked.' Alex Smith was inactive, and we found out 2 hours before kickoff... yet Heinicke was told he was starting Friday at practice. The best I can tell we have no idea what they're truly planning over there.

The other thing to consider is that Kyle may not want all the other stuff that comes with 'GM.' TBH I dont know that i need him at GM. I want him on roster management... player evaluation. I don't even know that we have a generic 'GM' role type person. Jason Wright is team President and he's running business ops so thats a HUGE portion of the GM responsibilities reduced. IMHO if Kyle Smith truly wants a GM Position, that position wont exist here. I keep looking back to the format the Patriots have. Belechick is the HC but make no mistake, he's THE GUY. Then you have Jonathan Kraft who is team President, and Nick Caserio was the Director of Player Personnel. There was no 'GM' by title. I wonder if someone is named GM, are they just a title at that point... and if any of these other candidates would want that?

Its going to be an interesting offseason and I imagine if we are going to be bringing in a true GM type, its going to happen sooner rather than later... the longer if drags out, the less I personally think we hire a true "GM" and more and more we follow that Patriots template.

oh, and WELCOME to the site! :cool:
 
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Great points! I was in that line thinking too that maybe Kyle doesn’t want OR knows he’s not ready for all of it yet. I mean, I’m definitely good with the way things are right now. It seems to be working. I just don’t want it to get to a point where he’s overlooked. We’ve already heard the media talk about how Ron is very dismissive when Kyle’s name is mentioned.
Thanks brother, glad to be here!!!
 
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