Report: Ex-Bills GM Doug Whaley to Get Second Interview with Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a second interview with former Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley for their vacant general manager position, according to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Whaley, who is currently working with the XFL as an executive ahead of its planned 2023 re-launch, was the Bills’ general manager from 2013-17. Before that, he worked for the Steelers for 10 seasons, last s pro personnel coordinator under outgoing general manager Kevin Colbert.

A Pittsburgh-area native, Whaley attended Upper St. Clair High School and the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a defensive back.

Colbert stepped down following the 2022 NFL Draft after 22 seasons as the team’s top football executive. The Steelers interviewed Whaley among 16 candidates for the position in the first round of interviews, which concluded in March.

The second round of interviews is expected to include Colbert and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, in addition to president Art Rooney II. The Steelers have not announced a specific timeframe for making their hire, and it’s unknown how many candidates will get second interviews.

Whaley is one of three former NFL general managers in the candidate pool, along with ex-New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman. ESPN analyst and former Philadelphia Eagles executive Louis Riddick is the other candidate currently outside football.  Two candidates are internal: Steelers vice president Omar Khan and pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt.  

The other 10 candidates are current sub-GM-level NFL executives. Several of those individuals have ties to the Steelers and Colbert.