As the 2025 NFL regular season nears its conclusion, several franchises are preparing for front-office shakeups, including possible changes at the general manager position.
One executive with the Detroit Lions could soon draw attention from teams looking to reset their leadership.
Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer recently highlighted several executives to monitor as future general manager candidates across the league.
In his analysis, Breer grouped candidates into two tiers: those on the verge of landing top roles and those steadily gaining momentum.
Detroit Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew was included among the latter group. Breer described Agnew as someone worth watching closely for anyone following NFL front-office movement.
Agnew, 58, brings decades of experience to the table.
Before joining the Lions, he worked with the Los Angeles Rams as Director of Pro Personnel from 2017 through 2020. He later reunited with Lions general manager Brad Holmes in Detroit and has held the assistant GM role for five seasons.
According to Breer, Agnew’s age may have slowed his rise to a top job, despite his strong reputation within league circles. However, Breer emphasized that overlooking that factor could mean missing out on a highly qualified executive with an unusually diverse background.
Over the course of his 35-year football career, Agnew has worn many hats, including player, team chaplain, player development director, and professional scouting leader.
That wide-ranging experience has given him a strong understanding of roster construction and organizational culture. Breer suggested that as Detroit’s success continues, league interest in Agnew is likely to grow.
Other executives believed to be closer to landing GM roles include Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds, Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray, Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby, and Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Before the 2025 season began, Agnew shared optimism about Detroit’s outlook, pointing to the importance of elite talent across the roster.
He referenced his time with a Super Bowl–winning team, noting that championship rosters consistently feature difference-makers at every level. Agnew expressed confidence that the Lions possess similar players—athletes capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most.
While acknowledging that nothing is guaranteed, Agnew suggested that some of Detroit’s current stars have the potential to reach the highest levels of the sport, echoing the impact he once saw from Hall of Fame-caliber teammates during his playing days.
