(Image Credit: Alex Gould/The Republic/USA Today Network)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick
Twitter: @NicholasMullick
Like I said in my DeAndre Hopkins Trade Destinations article, “The Arizona Cardinals are going to look completely different in 2023. Especially at GM when they parted ways with Steve Keim. Now the Arizona Cardinals have their new GM as they have decided to hire Monti Ossenfort as the new GM.
Fun Fact, Last year when the Giants were looking for GM’s to hire, I originally thought they were going to hire Monti Ossenfort to the role. Especially as they interviewed him multiple times for the role. However, the Giants chose not to hire him and went with Joe Schoen.
When diving into Ossenfort he has a lot of experience in this role with the teams he has worked for.
Ossenfort’s Tenure with the Minnesota Vikings
Ossenfort began his journey as an NFL executive with the Minnesota Vikings in 2001. He worked with the Training Camp crew in an internship role. Which is a great start for his journey, but he only lasted one year with the Vikings.
Ossenfort’s Tenure with the Houston Texans
When Ossenfort left the Vikings he then worked with the Houston Texans. In 2002 he was the pro personnel intern for them and that was a useful experience as he worked with Charley Casserly when he was the GM of the team. During his time in Houston Ossenfort would also work with the Texans as a Pro & College Scouting Assistant (2004) and College Scout (2005).
Ossenfort’s Tenure with the New England Patriots
Monti Ossenfort spent a large chunk of his executive career with the New England Patriots and even has four Super Bowl rings. He started with the team in 2002 as a personal assistant for Bill Belichick. After 2 years working with the Texans he returned in 2006 as an Area Scout where he held the role until 2018. He eventually got promoted being a National scout from 2009 to 2010. Ossenfort then became the Assistant Director of College Scouting in 2011 to 2013. When 2014 hit Ossenfort became the Director of College Scouting until 2019 where he left the Patriot organization.
Ossenfort’s Tenure with the Tennessee Titans
When 2020 hit Ossenfort worked as the Director of player personnel for the team until 2022. Now he is the General Manager of the Arizona Cardinals.
This hire is a very big one as it is the first time in many years where the organization has not promoted anyone to the General Manager role. There is no denying that Ossenfort has a great resume, and I am a fan of this hire. Like I said earlier I thought Ossenfort was going to be the next GM for the Giants. It was not an if, but when Ossenfort will be hired and I like what he said on his first press conference on Ego’s.
There are more questions that need to be answered
Who will be the new head coach?
Will the Kyler Murray drama be settled?
How will the Cardinals get rid of aging veteran players not in the future?
Who will replace JJ Watt next season?
Will the Cardinals keep or trade the 3rd Overall Pick?
As always when I end this article here is my message to Mr. Ossenfort. Congratulations on obtaining the General Manager job with the Arizona Cardinals. I wish you luck during your tenure here as there is a lot of work that needs to be done for the Cardinals to be competitive again.