George Paton poaches a Vikings executive to come work with Broncos

A big offseason for Broncos GM George Paton continued on Wednesday.

According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, Paton hired Minnesota Vikings director of pro scouting Reed Burckhardt as Denver’s new director of player personnel.

George Paton's offseason of big-time acquisitions continues. Per source, Broncos have hired Reed Burckhardt as new director of player personnel. Burckhardt spent 13 years w/Vikings, lately as director of pro scouting. Widely respected in NFL circles. Knows Paton well. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) May 11, 2022

Klis reports Burckhardt was a backup QB at South Dakota State before spending the last 13 years with the Vikings. Paton was in Minnesota all those years, before being hired by the Broncos to be their new GM last offseason.

Obviously, Paton is still in charge, but bringing in a guy he’s familiar with like Burckhardt is a great strategy. Not only does it show working in Denver is something other executives around the NFL want to do, but Paton can have sounding boards he’s familiar with.

The Broncos old director of player personnel, Matt Russell, “retired” after Paton was hired last year, but took a new gig with the Eagles earlier this week. Russell was close with John Elway, who Paton ultimately replaced. Elway is now in a consultant role with the Broncos.
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