Ruston

Webster

The Raiders conducted an interview with Steelers Pro Scouting Coordinator Brandon Hunt as well. Webster has been at his current position since 2016 when his contract as the GM of the Titans expired and the Falcons scooped him up. He has over 30 years of personnel experience to his name. Hunt is also a strong candidate to replace Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, who is set to retire after the 2022 NFL Draft.

A high-ranking Titans official told Rapsheet, “When you’ve won five games in the last two years, no one is safe.” Tennessee already gave head coach Ken Whisenhunt his walking papers and now it looks like Webster could be next up on the chopping block. Appearing Sunday on NFL GameDay First, Rapoport hinted that getting rid of Webster could be a way to attract Chip Kelly, who is currently serving as both Eagles coach and GM. That would reunite Kelly with his college quarterback at the University of Oregon, Marcus Mariota.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier this month Webster is “far from safe,” and the Titans decision to allow his final year to play out supports that claim. CEO Steve Underwood said Webster had the organization’s “full support” at the Nov. 3 news conference to announce the firing of Ken Whisenhunt, but Webster was notably not involved in the announcement. Webster has had some hits in four seasons as general manager, nabbing Delanie Walker and Brian Orakpo in free agency and making the no-brainer decision to draft Marcus Mariota, but he has had far more misses on his way to an 18-45 record. Tennessee will likely be looking for a new general manager this offseason.

Tennessee also removed the interim tag from CEO Steve Underwood, who will lead the search for a new general manager and perhaps a new coach. The decision not to retain Webster helps explain why the Titans have yet to reach out to coaching candidates, although there is still a slim possibility interim coach Mike Mularkey lands the permanent job. With Marcus Mariota, plenty of talent on defense and the No. 1 pick, Tennessee will be an attractive destination for GM candidates.

As is ex-Bears GM Phil Emery. They’re being hired as “national scouts.” The Titans let Webster’s contract expire at the end of the season. Webster appeared completely out of his depth during his four years in Tennessee, but was dealing with a bizarre ownership situation. Webster has over 25 years of personnel experience. The Falcons are trying to restock one of the league’s barest cupboards, and have five GMs/ex-GMs on the job, with Thomas Dimitroff, Scott Pioli and Billy Devaney joining Webster and Emery.