After 11 years in Washington’s organization, Vice President of Personnel Staff, Kyle Smith, has left to take a similar position with the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the second highest personnel manager behind the new general manager Terry Fontenot.
Smith’s departure comes a year after he was promoted to his current position and led a successful draft period and free agency for Washington. There had been rumors for several months about his possible departure.
Smith now joins a franchise that has the fourth choice in the draft, a new general manager in Fontenot and a new coach in Arthur Smith.
His future in Washington became clear when the franchise recently appointed Martin Mayhew as general manager and Marty Hurney as executive vice president of player staff. Both have extensive experience in the NFL.
Smith was not fed for the general manager; the only internal candidate Ron Rivera interviewed with the coach was the director of professional staff Eric Stokes, who joined the team last summer.
One reason Rivera said he was interested in coming to Washington was because of the concept the team was carrying out under Smith.
The 36-year-old Smith, who is the son of former Chargers general manager AJ Smith, has attracted interest from several teams, a source said, although no one was for a general manager’s position.
Smith started as an intern at Washington, and before his promotion in 2020, he spent three years as director of the university’s exploration. He was an area explorer for six years.
According to sources, Washington also passed on three scouts: director of props personnel / pre-coordinator Jeff Scott, who was promoted to this location last season; national explorer Cole Spencer and personnel coordinator / trial explorer Brian Zeches.
Last off-season, Washington not only put together Chase Young with the second pick, but also received good contributions from other rookies, such as the comeback of Antonio Gibson from the third round and the safety Kam Curl from the seventh. Among the flyhalf signings were Logan Thomas, who set a career high with 72 receptions, and JD McKissic, the fullback, who had the best 80 passes in his career.
Washington finishes 7-9 and wins the NFC East.