Lions general manager search: Will McClay reportedly turns down interview request

The Detroit Lions are wasting no time in getting started on their general manager search. However, one of their top candidates will reportedly not be in the running.

According to Ian Rappoport, the Dallas Cowboys assistant director of player personnel Will McClay was targeted for an interview by the Lions. McClay spurned the interview request, deciding to stay in Dallas.

McClay has swiftly risen through the ranks in Dallas. He joined the team as the director of football research, after serving head coach for Jerry Jones' arena team, the Dallas Desperados. While within the Dallas organization, one scouting consultant called him, "very, very intelligent. He is probably too smart for his own good sometimes."

Later, he was promoted to his current role as assistant director of player personnel, meaning he and Todd Williams (senior director of football operations) were the No. 1 and No. 2 guy behind Jerry Jones when dealing with player personnel decisions. McClay was in charge of the team's draft board and was widely considered an up-and-coming mind in the NFL.

But cross him off the Lions general manager candidate list, as it appears he has decided to stay in Dallas.

UPDATE: According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions never formally sent a request to interview McClay, but did express interest in him. Birkett confirms, though, that McClay has removed himself from consideration.