Washington GM Candidates

[Boone]

Who are some promising young candidates to be the new General Manager of the Washington Commanders in 2024?

 

[BGO Oracle]

There are several young names that are rising in the ranks of NFL front offices who could be potential candidates for the position of General Manager of the Washington Commanders in 2024.

1. **JoJo Wooden, Director of Player Personnel, Los Angeles Chargers**: Wooden has had a long tenure with the Chargers and has had a hand in the team's strong drafts in recent years, not least of which included talents like Justin Herbert and Derwin James.

2. **Mike Borgonzi, Director of Football Operations, Kansas City Chiefs**: Borgonzi has been with the Chiefs for over a decade and has been instrumental in drafting and developing the Chiefs' current core, including Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce. His expertise lies in talent evaluation and acquisition, an area crucial for any GM candidate.

3. **Ed Dodds, Assistant General Manager, Indianapolis Colts**: Dodds has received a lot of credit for his work under GM Chris Ballard in Indianapolis. He has a clear eye for talent and has been heavily involved in making some key decisions that have put the Colts back in contention.

4. **Quentin Harris, Vice President of Player Personnel, Arizona Cardinals**: Harris has been a major part of the decision-making process in Arizona, playing a role in the selections of talents like Kyler Murray and Chase Edmonds in the draft. He is a rising star well-respected within the league.

5. **Brandon Hunt, Pro Scouting Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers**: Hunt's work in Pittsburgh in player evaluation and pro scouting has been recognized league-wide, and the Steelers' consistent success despite player turnover is a testament to that.

6. **Will McClay, Vice President of Player Personnel, Dallas Cowboys**: McClay has been instrumental in Dallas's recent drafts and has a good eye for talent. The Cowboys' potent offense and deeper defensive talent in recent years speak to McClay's abilities.

7. **Adam Peters, Assistant General Manager, San Francisco 49ers**: Peters has been a core member of the 49ers' front office, helping to build the team that reached the Super Bowl in the 2019 season. His experience in player evaluation, contract negotiation, and cap management make him a strong candidate.

8. **Ryan Poles, Executive Director of Player Personnel, Kansas City Chiefs**: Another member of the Chiefs' front office, Poles has been touted for his talents in player evaluation and development.

Each of these candidates would bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the Commanders' roster-building strategies.

 

[Boone]

Mike Borgonzi (currently Assistant GM in KC) is an intriguing possibility. ChatGPT's database is only current through 2021-2022 or thereabouts, so was not able to determine that Ryan Poles (also formerly of KC) is the Bears current GM. If the current ownership group wanted to go with Eric Bienemy as head coach in 2024, it might make sense to bring in Borgonzi. Just spitballing here.

 

[Boone]

I think it's cool that BGO Oracle is able to distinguish between a simple comment vs. an actual question.

 

[Boone]

I love Borgonzi's resume, and I'm calling it - he's going to be our next GM. Graduate of Brown University. Financial background. Former fullback on Brown's football team. Some coaching and recruiting experience. He's got relevant experience across the board and all he has done is succeed everywhere he has been. Plus - he looks a little like Bobby Flay and we could use some good cooking in that front office. Here's his bio from the Chiefs website:

Mike Borgonzi enters his 14th season with Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. He was promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2021 after serving three seasons as the club's Director of Football Operations (2018-20) and three seasons as the club's Director of Player Personnel (2017)/Co-Director of Player Personnel (2015-16).

In his current capacity, Borgonzi supervises and directs the club's college and professional scouting operations while closely supporting and advising General Manager Brett Veach with the club's roster management and player acquisition via the NFL Draft, NFL free agency, street free agency, waiver claims and trades.

Borgonzi served as the club's Assistant Director of Pro Scouting (2013-14) and as the club's Pro Personnel Scout (2011-12) where he evaluated all professional players, recommended free agents, oversaw free agent workouts, evaluated college players, and assisted the coaching staff with advance scouting reports for the teams' upcoming opponents.

In 2010, he served as the club's Manager of Football Operations where he coordinated team logistics, assisted in budget planning for various departments, oversaw day-to-day operations on the football side and wrote player evaluation reports on a weekly basis for the club's advance scouting.
Borgonzi joined the Chiefs in 2009, serving as the club's College Scouting Administrator where he worked closely with the College Director and college scouts to ensure proper planning of the college department while assisting in player evaluation reports on both the college and pro side.
Prior to joining the Chiefs, Borgonzi served two seasons as the Assistant Recruiting Coordinator at Boston College (2007-08) where the team played in the ACC Championship twice and won the 2007 Champs Bowl. Before working in the financial sector in Boston for several years, he served as the tight ends coach at Amherst College in 2002.

The Everett, Massachusetts, native was a four-year starter as a fullback on the Brown University Football Team, earning All-Ivy League honors three times. Borgonzi's brother, Dave, is currently the LB Coach for the Chicago Bears.

Education: Brown University (B.A. 2002). Family: Wife - Jill; Son, Joseph; Daughter, Nina.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Kyle Smith please