Catherine Raîche has never hidden her dream of becoming general manager of an NFL team and the Quebecer takes one more step towards her dearest wish. The Minnesota Vikings want to meet with the one on their shortlist for the vacancy since Monday.
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It’s hard to doubt the source of the news, since it was the most connected NFL informant ever, ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who spread the news overnight Wednesday through Thursday.
He said the Vikings have asked the Eagles for permission to meet Raîche, who serves as the organization’s vice president of football operations.
To date, only one woman has held a general manager role in the NFL, Susan Tose Spencer, with the Eagles, in 1983.
A confident mentor
Former Alouettes and Argonauts general manager Jim Popp was the first to open the doors to professional football in Raîche, Montreal. She then followed him to Toronto and the veteran football man reckons the Vikings would strike a blow by hiring his former protege.
“Some would say that she is young (32 years old), but I am convinced that she is the best prepared candidate for this job. She already has a lot of experience, ”said Popp, in an interview with The newspaper.
A great experience
In addition to his background in the Canadian League, Popp considers the last three years in the organization of the Eagles to be a major asset for Raîche.
“In Philadelphia, owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman are great footballers who enjoy teaching their staff the basics. She was well surrounded and rose through the ranks.
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“I myself had five interviews for general manager positions in the NFL and each time I was criticized for my lack of experience in the league. Catherine has had this experience in the NFL, ”insisted Popp, who would see Raîche in a“ solid organization ”like the Vikings.
Several candidates
Obviously, it is not because the Vikings grant an interview to the Quebecer that she is guaranteed to land the coveted position.
the Minneapolis Star Tribune identified several candidates who have obtained or will also obtain interviews.
This roster includes two members of the Browns, Vice President Operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Vice President Player Personnel Glenn Cook.
Patriots personnel consultant Eliot Wolf, son of legendary former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, is also in the bundle. The Vikings have also requested permission from the Chiefs to meet with their director of player personnel Ryan Poles.
Buccaneers vice-president of player personnel John Spytek, as well as Raîche’s colleague at the Eagles, manager of player personnel Brandon Brown, are also in the game.
“Football remains a predominantly male sport, but barriers are falling. The NFL has done a good job of getting things moving. There will certainly one day be a general manager and I hope it will be Catherine. She deserves it and if it is not with the Vikings, she will have other opportunities, ”concluded Jim Popp.
Catherine Raîche’s roadmap
2015 to 2017
- Montreal Alouettes, CFL (Football administration coordinator)
2017
- Montreal Alouettes, LCF (Assistant to the General Manager)
2018-2019
- Toronto Argonauts, CFL (Director of Football Administration)
2019
- Tampa Bay Vipers, XFL (Director of Football Operations)
2019 to 2021
- Philadelphia Eagles, NFL (Player Personnel Coordinator)
2021 to today
- Philadelphia Eagles, NFL (VP Football Operations)
