49ers executives are expected to garner several offers from teams regarding opening roles.
The Miami Dolphins’ search for a new general manager has led them west, with the franchise requesting interviews with three prominent executives from the San Francisco 49ers’ front office.
As Miami looks to reset after firing longtime general manager Chris Grier during the season, vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad, director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, and assistant general manager RJ Gillen have all emerged as candidates of interest.
The trio has played key roles under 49ers general manager John Lynch, helping build one of the NFL’s most consistent rosters over the past decade.
Their potential availability underscores how highly regarded San Francisco’s front office pipeline has become across the league.
Williams, in particular, is no stranger to the general manager interview circuit.
He was a finalist for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ GM opening last offseason before the team ultimately hired James Gladstone.
Williams has spent roughly 14–15 seasons with the 49ers, joining the organization in 2011 as a scouting assistant.
Over the years, he has worked as both an area scout and a national scout, and now holds a role that combines scouting, player development support, and assistance with contract negotiations.
His broad experience across multiple departments has made him a frequent name in league circles when GM vacancies arise.
Ahmad’s rise within the 49ers organization has been similarly steady. He joined San Francisco in 2014 after working at Rutgers and his alma mater, Ithaca College.
Starting as a scouting assistant, Ahmad advanced through the ranks to become an area scout, assistant director of scouting, director of college scouting, and ultimately, director of player personnel.
He is now in his first season as vice president of player personnel, a role that places him at the center of roster construction and long-term planning.
Gillen rounds out the list of candidates, representing another internal success story.
With the 49ers since 2015, Gillen has served as a pro personnel scout, director of pro personnel, and director of player personnel before being promoted to assistant general manager this past season.
He shares the assistant GM title with Brian Hampton, marking 2025 as his first year in the role.
There is also a clear connection between Miami and San Francisco at the coaching level.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel previously worked under Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers.
Executives familiar with McDaniel’s background, such as Ahmad, Williams, or Gillen, could provide continuity and internal advocacy as Miami evaluates its next steps.
If the Dolphins were to hire Williams or Ahmad as general manager, the 49ers would receive a third-round compensatory pick under the NFL’s minority hiring resolution, adding another layer of intrigue to the process.
As Miami continues its reset, tapping into San Francisco’s well-regarded front office could signal a desire to replicate the structure and success the 49ers have built in recent years.