Report: Detroit Lions have interest in Saints personnel director Terry Fontenot

Yet another candidate has joined the ranks of the Detroit Lions general manager search. According to Jeff Duncan, Saints columnist for The Athletic, the Lions have expressed interest in New Orleans VP/assistant general manager of pro personnel Terry Fontenot.

Fontenot has been a long-time Saints employee, working his way up from a pro scouting assistant to pro scout to director of pro scout, and finally being promoted to his currently position at the beginning of the year. He’s been with the organization since 2003, and has helped oversee a dramatic turnaround for the franchise, including six division titles, eight playoffs wins (seven losses) and a Super Bowl title.

He has only been with the Saints for his NFL career, and he’s mostly stayed on the pro personnel side of the business, but according to NewOrleansSaints.com, he also has experience preparing the Saints for the NFL Draft.

Fontenot joins a long list of general manager candidates already linked to the Lions, including Jerry Reese, Louis Riddick, Rick Smith, and the three internal candidates who have already interviewed for the job: Kyle O’Brien, Lance Newmark, and Rob Lohman.

Fontenot will not be able to interview with the Lions until after the regular season is over. Then, due to new COVID protocols, Detroit will only be able to conduct virtual interviews until the Saints’ postseason run is over.