Patriots to interview Samir Suleiman for top executive position, per report

The New England Patriots will hold another interview for their open head of football operations job. Former Carolina Panthers vice president of football administration Samir Suleiman will meet with the team at some point in the near future, as first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Suleiman brings plenty of experience to the table. A former wide receiver at James Madison, he started his career as an executive with the NFL Management Council in 1997, where he analyzed player contracts and was responsible for salary cap compliance.

He moved to the team side in 1998 to join the Jacksonville Jaguars as manager of contract information. After two years in that position, he took over as director of football administration and later director of football operations for the then-St. Louis Rams.

After three years away from the NFL, Suleiman returned with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013. He served as the organization’s football administration coordinator for seven years before taking his most recent position in Carolina.

Suleiman was the Panthers’ primary negotiator and also managed the salary cap and budgeting of football operations. He furthermore assisted ownership, general manager, and head coach in roster construction, player evaluation, procurement, strategic planning and compliance with NFL rules.

Despite having an active hand in the team’s business, Suleiman was let go as part of a restructuring following the 2023 season. Now, he is trying to secure a new job in New England.

He is the second known candidate to interview for the open job atop the Patriots’ football operations department — one previously held by long-term head coach Bill Belichick. The team also met with Philadelphia Eagles director of scouting Brandon Hunt.

Three candidates, meanwhile, declined interview requests.