In the National Football League, the general manager (GM) is typically the head of football operations. Major responsibilities include the power to hire and dismiss a head coach, leading the scouting department, handling free agent transactions and trades, and contract negotiations. Under such a model, the GM reports directly to the owner or team president. However, some team owners serve as GM or employ one who act in supporting role to the head coach. Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders was an example of a owner who also served as GM, while Bill Belichick is an example of a head coach having de facto GM responsibilities during most of his tenure with the New England Patriots.
The general manager (GM) is typically the head of football operations, which includes being head of the scouting department, handling free agent transactions and trades, and responsible for negotiating contracts with players and coaches. The scouting department's role is to evaluate college football players entering the annual NFL draft.[1] During the NFL Combine, general managers will interview players.[2]
Many GMs begin their front office career as an assistant scout and are promoted into roles such as director of college scouting or vice president of player personnel before being GM. The GM is also responsible for negotiating contracts with players and coaches.[3] As with head coaches and some players, GMs are required by the NFL to attend press conferences with the media. During the season, general managers will work 100 hours or more a week.[3] Some Pro Football Hall of Fame general managers include Tex Schramm, Al Davis, Bill Polian, Ron Wolf, Bobby Beathard, Gil Brandt, and George Young.