Green Bay Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf has pulled his name from the list of candidates for the general manager job with the San Francisco 49ers, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
#Packers executive Eliot Wolf has pulled out of the #49ers GM search to focus on the playoffs and his own team, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2017
Wolf wants to focus on the Packers and their playoff run and didn't feel that the time was right for a move from Green Bay. Wolf has signed a new deal that will keep him with the Packers, per Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY Sports.
Wolf received a new deal in Green Bay.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 19, 2017
The 49ers had hoped to meet with Wolf for a second interview next week. The team also hopes to meet again with Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst and Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton.
Wolf, the son of former NFL general manager Ron Wolf, joined the Packers as a pro personnel assistant in 2004. He became assistant director of pro personnel in 2008 and assistant director of player personnel in 2011. In 2015, Wolf became the director of player personnel and in March of 2016, he was promoted to director of football operations with the Packers.
Michael Silver of NFL Media believes that Gutekunst is the frontrunner for the job. The 49ers reportedly left their initial interview with Gutekunst very impressed. Wolf withdrawing from candidacy may support that belief. There could also be the issue of Shanahan's leverage with the 49ers. Outside of starting another coaching search, the 49ers have no other options outside of Shanahan. Should he want final say over the roster, that may turn off some candidates.
Gutekunst was promoted to his current position at the same time as Wolf's latest promotion. He has been within the Packers' player personnel department for 18 years, serving as a scout and eventually the director of college scouting.
Arizona Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough also remains as a possible candidate.