The Denver Broncos executive Kelly Kleine Van Calligan has been interviewed by the Las Vegas Raiders for the
general manager position that is currently open, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. She has worked for the
Broncos for three seasons now as the executive director of football operations and special advisor to the general
manager. She has spent a total of twelve years in the NFL.
The Broncos will receive two third-round picks (one in 24 and another in 25) if Kelly Kleine Van Calligan is hired by
the Raiders or any other NFL team during the summer. This is because she is a diversity candidate.
The Broncos hired Kelly Kleine Van Calligan in 2021 following the hiring of George Paton as general manager. She
chose to come to the Broncos after working with him in Minnesota, and ever since, she has been directly under his
supervision. She is seen as an up-and-coming executive in the NFL and was nominated back in December to take
part in the Front Office Accelerator program.
Kelly Kleine Van Calligan would become the first female general manager in NFL history if she was hired by the
Raiders. From 1983 to 1985, Susan Tose Spencer was the Philadelphia Eagles’ acting general manager, however she
never held the position formally. Therefore, if this hire materializes, it would be historic and quite awesome for all
concerned.
Aside from the historic importance of the possible hire, the Broncos would benefit from the salary package. They
have, as of late, been short on draft money with the trades of Sean Payton and Russell Wilson. Obtaining two third-
round picks would be significant, particularly considering the possibility that the Broncos would have to make a
trade-up to select a quarterback in the next draft. The Broncos would gain from this hire, which would also be cool
and historic.
Therefore, even if we shouldn’t support the Raiders when they potentially make a slam dunk hire, we should support
this. It would provide the Broncos with much-needed draft money and allow more women to be considered for these
roles.
