Bills Interview Packers' Brian Gutekunst for GM Job

The Buffalo Bills confirmed they interviewed Green Bay Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst for their general manager vacancy Monday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the news, saying Gutekunst is "highly regarded."

Gutekunst was promoted to his current position in 2016. He has spent the last 18 seasons with the Packers organization, working his way up as a college scout.

The Bills fired general manager Doug Whaley and their scouting staff April 30. It was an unorthodox decision given the fact Whaley and the team scouts stayed on through the draft. Whaley joined the organization in 2010 and was promoted to general manager in 2013.

Regarding their draft strategy, Bills owner Terry Pegula told reporters Whaley "put the whole thing together." Head coach Sean McDermott, also described as the team's "one voice," was not in charge of the draft.

"Sean didn’t lead the charge," Pegula said. "It was a collaborative effort in our draft process. I like when things go like that. We all talk—you’ve got to have input from all aspects of the organization."

Buffalo has already interviewed a number of candidates, including Philadelphia Eagles director of college scouting Trey Brown, Houston Texans director of player personnel Brian Gaine and Carolina Panthers assistant general manager Brandon Beane. 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Beane appears to be the favorite having agreed to a second interview. 

"Sean's a head coach," Pegula said. "When we hire a new GM, we'll talk about, obviously, his obligations and duties. But Sean's a head coach. The GM's going to be the GM.

"I like collaborative organizations, so the power structure I envision when we hire our new GM is someone who will work in the organization with us as owners, with the head coach and make a team that makes us better."

McDermott, 43, was hired as the Bills' head coach in January. Beane likely has an inside track due to his existing relationship with McDermott, who spent the last six seasons as the Panthers' defensive coordinator.