Detroit Lions division rival requests to interview assistant GM Ray Agnew
Detroit Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew watches warmup ahead of the Washington Commanders game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, November 9, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesFor the second offseason in a row, the Detroit Lions face another situation where a key staff member could be on the move to a division rival. According to NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings have submitted a request to interview Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew for the vacant general manager position.
In January, after four seasons in Minnesota, the Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. In a mildly surprising move, the Vikings promoted longtime executive Rob Brzezinski to interim general manager, opting to wait until after the 2026 NFL Draft to begin the search.
With the draft in the rearview mirror, that process kicked off this week, and they've cast a very wide net. In addition to interviewing Brzezinski for the role, the Vikings' first wave of requested interviews included:
- Los Angeles Chargersassistant GM Chad Alexander
- San Francisco 49ersassistant GM RJ Gillen
- Buffalo Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray
- Los Angeles Ramsassistant GM John McKay
- Seattle Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasley
- Tennessee Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler
On Tuesday, the Vikings sent out a second wave of requests, with this round featuring the Lions' Agnew, while also including:
- Denver Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt
- Miami Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith
Agnew joined the Lions in January of 2021, following Lions general manager Brad Holmes from Los Angeles to Detroit. Holmes has played an integral role in the Lions' front office, drawing on his background as a director of pro personnel to assist with a variety of important decisions.
Over the past five seasons, Agnew has expanded his resume and roles in Detroit and has routinely spoken with the media during the offseason, sharing his thoughts on players and the roster as a whole. While he has been groomed for a larger opportunity-and has been rumored to be a candidate of interest in NFL circles-this is his first confirmed request for an interview.