We just had one of the great drafts of any team this decade and possibly of all time. Two of our players made the pro bowl as rookies despite not having a top 10 pick, and two others have been quality starters all season, one potentially pro bowl worthy. Despite a high number of injuries we have been able to plug in the holes and keep winning.
The problem is that our GM is a great accountant, our assistant GM Jeff Ireland did most of this, and we will lose that assistant GM this offseason or next if our success continues despite any contract extensions that keep his low title. Mickey Loomis is perhaps the best accountant living in the world today, but we do play football, and if we won't give the GM title to a great football GM we are never ever ever going to be able to keep a great football GM, and when we lose one, they will take many good scouts with them.
The solution is very simple. Loomis is currently titled executive vice president and GM. Simply promote Loomis to CFO or some other upward title and promote Ireland to GM. Many teams have have similar structures. The Jaguars actually have a President who is not related to the owner, an EVP of Football Operations, AND a GM, by keeping all their valuable assets with a title of GM or higher they are more likely to retain them.
I guess there is an argument not to upset the apple cart, but we have to live in reality. It is unlikely we can keep Jeff Ireland as Assistant GM for the long term, unless he starts performing worse. If we change his title to GM, it is likely we can keep him. What does it hurt? Loomis knows he does not have a football background and is a finance and business guy. Would Loomis really be hurt by being called CFO and getting a small raise?
To me, if we want to continue winning, this is the thing to do. Its so easy. We should just do it.