The Detroit Lions have reportedly been told thanks, but no thanks by another personnel executive that they were considering as a potential general manager.
Lions + Titans requested permission to interview Bengals personnel chief Duke Tobin for GM, but he's staying in Cincy long term, per sources
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2016
This is the second potential general manager candidate that the Detroit Lions contacted that has semi-publicly turned down an interview request. Yesterday, it was reported that the Detroit Lions were rebuked by Dallas Cowboys assistant pro personnel director Will McClay.
Does this have to do with the seeming insistence from Detroit Lions ownership on keeping head coach Jim Caldwell or does it have to do with two highly tenured executives being very comfortable with their jobs?
As an honest analyst, you have to assume that it at least has something to do with the unofficial requirement by Martha Ford to keep Jim Caldwell at the helm.
Tobin, 45 has been a member of the Cincinnati Bengals pro personnel department since 1999 and is currently employed as their pro personnel director, which is one step below general manager in most organizations.
Tobin is a former Arena League quarterback, where he spent two seasons. He threw for a career 678 yards, nine touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Either way, the Detroit Lions are very early in the process. There is an unusually large amount of general manager jobs open, meaning potential first time GM’s have the ability to be more selective.
