The start of NFL training camps are often a time for new hirings and in-house promotions to scouting departments around the league, and for once, 2020 is going no differently. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the New Orleans Saints promoted longtime director of pro scouting to the role of vice president/assistant general manger of pro personnel. He’s one of about a dozen of executives around the league to carry that assistant G.M. title.
Fontenot has been with the Saints for 16 years, overseeing the pro scouting department for the last six seasons after seven years as a pro scout. It’s been his responsibility to monitor the waiver wire, evaluate upcoming opponents, and gauge free agents to-be, helping the Saints land big-time veterans like All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis, guard Larry Warford (who went to three Pro Bowls in three years with the Saints), tight end Jared Cook (who set personal bests in several stats last season), and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who will hopefully keep things trending upwards.
Intriguingly, this puts Fontenot on the same level as Jeff Ireland within the Saints organization. Ireland, the infamous ex-Miami Dolphins general manager, has held the title of vice president/assistant G.M. for some time now. But he’s now added “assistant general manager of college scouting” to better reflect his duties as head of that department. Both Ireland and Fontenot report to Mickey Loomis, who is titled executive vice president/general manager.
It’ll be interesting to see where things go form here. Ireland has steadily climbed the ladder within the Saints organization since joining them back in 2015, helping assemble some of the strongest draft classes in team history. Both he and Fontenot could be candidates for general manager jobs in the NFL’s next hiring cycle, much like former Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace (now the embattled Chicago Bears shot-caller). This promotion for Fontenot likely carries a pay raise and more decision-making influence within the front office, but only time will tell if it’s enough to keep a good group together.
