Kelly Kleine named Executive Director of Football Operations
May 17, 2021, 11:14 AM
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have named Kelly Kleine as Executive Director of Football Operations/Special Advisor to the General Manager, GM George Paton announced on Monday.
Kleine will serve as the primary liaison for the Broncos’ football operations and maintain significant responsibilities with both pro and college scouting. She will be involved in all aspects of the Broncos’ personnel department, including player evaluation, NFL Draft/free agency preparations and day-to-day football administration.
Reporting directly to Paton, Kleine will oversee the Broncos’ video and equipment departments while collaborating across many other areas throughout the organization.
“Kelly is a rising star in the NFL, and we’re fortunate to add someone of her caliber to the Denver Broncos,” Paton said. “Having worked with her for nine years in Minnesota, Kelly has a strong understanding of all aspects of football operations and player evaluation along with outstanding leadership qualities. She will be a tremendous resource with her experience on the pro and college sides as well as her knowledge of our grading scale and football calendar.”
Entering her 10th NFL season, Kleine spent the previous nine years with the Minnesota Vikings and most recently was the club’s manager of player personnel/college scout (2019-20). She had extensive day-to-day responsibilities within the Vikings’ personnel department, including player evaluation, NFL Draft/free agency planning, opponent advances and general football administration.
Kleine had specific scouting assignments for the Vikings with college players from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana and the Dakotas. She held numerous other college scouting responsibilities for the Vikings while overseeing NFL Draft operations and serving as a liaison for pro tryouts.
Kleine previously worked as the Vikings’ college scouting coordinator (2015-18), scouting assistant (2014) and scouting administration intern (2013). She began her NFL career with the Vikings as a public relations intern in 2012.
A 2013 University of Minnesota graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sports management, Kleine worked in the Golden Gophers’ athletic communications office as a student intern from 2010-13. She was a three-sport athlete (golf, basketball and softball) at Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan, Wis., and is a native of Sheboygan.
