The 49ers plan to meet with Paton on Saturday for a second interview. After others withdrew their names from the 49ers' general manager search, Paton instantly became the frontrunner for the job. Also in the running is Arizona Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough, who, like Paton, will meet with the 49ers in Atlanta.
Paton completed his 10th season with Minnesota, working under general manager Rick Spielman. He was a finalist for the general manager job with the St. Louis Rams in 2012. Since then, he has turned down multiple interviews from teams like the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears for their general manager positions. Paton also rejected proposed meetings with the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions last winter.
On Saturday, the 49ers will hold their second interview with Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. He is expected to become the 49ers' newest head coach following the Super Bowl. The team hopes to have Shanahan sit down with both Paton and McDonough to determine which pairing would be a good fit for the future.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers DC Robert Saleh to interview with Dolphins on Thursday
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Wednesday that he didn't have any head coaching interviews scheduled until Sunday, following the team's Divisional Round playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. That has changed. According to NFL Network insider... -
49ers vs. Eagles injury report: 5 players miss Wednesday's practice
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Wild Card Round playoff contest against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall were not healthy enough to practice on... -
49ers vs. Eagles: Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall won't practice Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy sounded confident this week that left tackle Trent Williams would return for the team's Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed more caution, stopping short of... -
Cardinals request interview with 49ers' Robert Saleh for head-coaching job
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the Arizona Cardinals have requested permission to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for their head-coaching vacancy. Arizona fired Jonathan Gannon following the team's third straight losing...