NFL coaches and GMs get fired at the drop of a hat these days, but Denver GM George Paton is up for an extension, which is remarkable considering what’s happened during his tenure.
Paton somehow survived the disastrous Russell Wilson era, and he outlasted the mess with the former Broncos quarterback it by calling on what Luca Evans of the Denver Post called his “steadiness” via the particulars of roster management or cap analysis.
That quality is valuable to coach Sean Payton, who is sometimes the opposite of steady in many regards. But Payton values his GM’s knowledge and ability to handle the administrative and financial details of running the team, not to mention his personnel background, although that’s an area where the coach makes most of the decisions.
“It’s overdue,” Payton said when he was asked if he’s advocated for the extension. “I say that respectfully, to the process. But he and I have a great working relationship, so my job wouldn’t be as fun or exciting if he wasn’t a part of it. But that should be something that’s handled quickly.”
It didn’t always look like Paton was going to be around. He was wildly unpopular after the hiring of Nathaniel Hackett and the Wilson fiasco. According to Evans, Sean Payton is a confidant of NFL insider Jay Glazer, who gave Paton a vote of confidence that may have saved his job.
“I’ve seen a ton of GMs backstab the head coach, and vice versa,” Glazer said. “And George has always had Sean’s back. Always. And that is so valuable. Especially when you’re going to try and make a lot of changes in the place.”
Paton made the transition to life under Payton by being malleable and flexible, and he also didn’t waver when the pair decided to sign 13 members of the Broncos to new deals, according to Spotrac. It’s a remarkable rash of signings, to the point where Denver’s core is now at least the equal of many NFL franchises.
“I mean, I never flinched,” Paton said at the combine. “Always figured we would turn it around. And we did. And I’m not surprised.”
NFL agents are aware of this, too. “I think they are positioned to win,” one agent added, “for as long as this group of people stays together.”
That group won’t include several former members of Payton’s coaching staff, but his GM will continue to be a staple. Paton started his career as a scout for the Bears, and he was also the director of pro personnel with the Miami Dolphins under then-coach Nick Saban.
Now he’s about to get some stability in Denver, although Paton also knows as well as anyone that there’s no such thing in the NFL, where “Not For Long” is a way of life.