Carolina Panthers request permission to interview Chiefs executive for GM role

Chiefs exec Ryan Poles could be interviewed to be the new GM of the Carolina Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers already have their head coach in place, and Matt Rhule looked the part of a successful leader in his first season in the NFC South. Now the team is focused on finding a long-term personnel fit to lead the front office, and NFL reporter Ian Rapoport has word that they’re interested in interviewing a Kansas City Chiefs executive for their vacant general manager spot.

On Monday, Rapoport tweeted that the Panthers were requesting permission from K.C. to interview Ryan Poles, the team’s assistant director of player personnel. To be precise, Poles presently shares that role with Mike Bradway in the Chiefs organizational chart. Before that, Poles was the team’s director of college scouting (now held by Ryne Nutt).

Even as far back as 2017, when Poles took over the director of college scouting role, whispers about his potential were shared by league insiders. Check out what Field Yates had to say a few years ago:

This is part of the overall package of being the defending champs for the Chiefs. Other teams are going to raid the roster, the coaching staff, and the front office. Just this week, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is being inundated with interview requests from teams like the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons. It also wouldn’t surprise anyone to see other names from the Chiefs circulated in connection with other head coach or general manager openings around the league.

As for the Panthers, they’re already looking at a number of potential options and have interviewed former New York Giants GM Jerry Reese. Poles could face long odds for that particular role, but it speaks well of his future that he’s already earning looks from other teams. The word is definitely out that Poles’ future is as likely GM for someone which means the Chiefs will have to get used to losing even as they’re winning.