General manager (American football)

A general manager (GM) in American football is a team executive who is typically the head of football operations, which includes leading the scouting department and being responsible for handling free agent transactions and contract negotiations with players and coaches. Under such a model, the GM reports directly to the owner or team president. However, some team owners serve as their own GM or employ one who act in a supporting role to the head coach. Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders was an example of an owner who also served as GM, while Bill Belichick is an example of a head coach having de facto GM responsibilities during his tenure with the New England Patriots.

Responsibilities
The general manager (GM) is typically the head of football operations, which includes leading the scouting department and being responsible for handling free agent transactions and contract negotiations with players and coaches. The scouting department's role is to evaluate college football players entering the annual NFL draft. During the NFL Combine, general managers will interview players.

Many GMs begin their front office career as an assistant scout and are promoted into roles such as director of college scouting or vice president of player personnel before being GM. The GM is also responsible for negotiating contracts with players and coaches. As with head coaches and some players, GMs are required by the NFL to attend press conferences with the media. During the season, general managers will work 100 hours or more a week. Some Pro Football Hall of Fame general managers include Tex Schramm, Al Davis, Bill Polian, Ron Wolf, Bobby Beathard, Gil Brandt, and George Young.