DENVER — When the Broncos hired Kelly Kleine Van Calligan in 2021 as their executive director of football operations and special advisor to the general manager, she became one of the NFL's highest-ranking women.
Among those who took notice were the AFC West division rival Las Vegas Raiders, who recently interviewed Kleine for their general manager position.
Should Kleine wind up getting the Raiders job, the Broncos would receive two third-round draft picks -- one this year and one in 2025 -- for developing a diverse candidate for either a GM or head coach position.
Finishing up her 12th NFL season, third with the Broncos, Kleine has responsibilities with both pro and college scouting. She is involved in all aspects of the Broncos' personnel department, including player evaluation, NFL Draft/free agency preparations, day-to-day football administration and the video department.
She reports directly to Broncos general manager George Paton, who brought Kleine Van Calligan over from the Vikings in 2021. Paton was the Vikings' assistant general manager in 2013, when Kleine Van Calligan was hired out of the University of Minnesota as a scouting administration intern. She later became a Vikings scout.
The Raiders are looking for a full-time GM after Dave Ziegler was dismissed, along with head coach Josh McDaniels, back on Oct. 31. Ziegler was replaced in the interim by Champ Kelly. Ziegler and Kelly previously worked in the Broncos' personnel department.
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