Unlike last time, the Lions aren't leaving any stone unturned in their search for a new general manager. The team added four new names to its already lengthy list of candidates on Monday.
Detroit will interview Saints assistant GM/director of pro scouting Terry Fontenot on Tuesday, Rams college scouting director Brad Holmes and Vikings assistant GM George Paton on Wednesday, and Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland on Friday, according to Albert Breer.
That makes it 11 candidates for the Lions' GM job. The team is also reportedly trying to poach current Seahawks GM John Schneider in a potential 'blockbuster' move.
"Detroit's moving forward aggressively," says Beer.
The team interviewed just three GM candidates in 2016 before deciding on Bob Quinn, a search that was conducted by NFL-recommended consultant Ernie Accorsi. Which led the Lions back here, searching for Quinn's replacement.
The man behind this search this time is Chris Spielman, hired by the franchise last month as a special assistant to owner Sheila Ford Hamp and president Rod Wood. Spielman is both recommending names and participating in interviews.
Related
In addition to this week's round of candidates, the Lions have interviewed a trio of former GM's in Thomas Dimitroff, Rick Smith and Scott Pioli as well as longtime ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, plus three in-house candidates.