Back in 2020, the NFL created a new rule that would reward teams for developing minorities in coaching and front-office roles, rewarding teams with two third-round picks if that team has a minority coach or executive hired away to become another team’s head coach or general manager. The 49ers have taken advantage of this rule, and other teams are not happy.
According to a report from ESPN, multiple team owners have complained to the NFL about the “sheer number” of compensator draft picks that the San Francisco 49ers have earned as a result of their ability to develop minority head coaches.
“We know [Mike Shanahan] can hire well and diverse; in fact, owners have complained to the league office about the sheer number of compensatory picks the 49ers have received for serving as a pipeline for coaches and executives of color,” Wickersham wrote for ESPN this week.
Since the rule was put in place, the Niners have seen Robert Saleh hired as the New York Jets head coach, Mike McDaniel hired as the Miami Dolphins head coach, and DeMeco Ryans hired as the Houston Texans head coach. They’ve also seen Maritn Mayhew hired as Washington’s general manager and Ran Carthon hired as the Titans’ general manager. They were given compensatory picks for each of those coaches.
It’s not clear which owners seem to have a problem with San Francisco’s development of minority coaches and executives, but it’s not San Francisco’s fault they are taking advantage of the rule.
[ESPN]
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