Broncos ask Patriots’ permission to interview Dave Ziegler for vacant general manager position

The New England Patriots’ front office could be in the middle of a major shake-up. Following the departure of director of player personnel Nick Caserio to the Houston Texans — the long-time executive will take over as the team’s new general manager after 20 seasons and six Super Bowl wins in New England — his assistant has also drawn interest to fill a vacant position elsewhere.

The Denver Broncos, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, have asked the Patriots’ permission to interview Dave Ziegler for their vacant general manager position.

This is not the first time the two have been in touch with each other. Before arriving in New England in 2013, after all, Ziegler had already worked for the Broncos: he spent three seasons in Denver as a pro scout. He additionally assisted the coaching staff in producing and presenting advance scouting reports.

Ziegler eventually left Denver after the 2012 season to join New England’s scouting operation. He spent three years as assistant director of pro scouting and four as director of pro personnel before being promoted to his current role last year. Ziegler, who was a college teammate of Caserio and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at John Carroll University, has a contract through the 2021 draft.

Whether or not the Patriots grant the Broncos permission to interview Ziegler remains to be seen, though. The 43-year-old, after all, has served as Caserio’s right-hand man since his arrival and is therefore a natural candidate to take over the vacant job atop New England’s personnel department.

Denver’s general manager role, meanwhile, opened up when John Elway decided to cede the position to a new person. Ziegler is just one of the candidates considered for the role.

The Broncos have reportedly also interviewed, or are planning to interview, Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton, New Orleans Saints director of pro scouting, Terry Fontenot and Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly. Denver college scouting director Brian Stark will also interview for Elway’s former job.