The Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers have been trading executives and players since Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was hired as the Bills new head coach in January 2017. You can add another connection to the list as the Panthers plan to interview Buffalo assistant director of college scouting Lake Dawson for their vacant general manager job this week, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
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Dawson came to the Bills in May but he didn’t come over from the Panthers with general manager Brandon Beane, who made the leap from Carolina to Buffalo last year. Dawson spent 2016 as the national scout for the Cleveland Browns after nine years with the Tennessee Titans including stints as director of pro personnel, vice president of football operations, and vice president of player personnel. Prior to that, he worked his way up in the Seattle Seahawks front office following a six-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“He’s had a heck of a career,” said Beane of Dawson in May of 2017. “He rose to a level of VP of Player Personnel. He’s interviewed for multiple GM positions. To have a guy with his experience and leadership… it’s a strong addition.”
Buffalo already lost a member of their front office this offseason when vice president of player personnel Brian Gaine was hired by the Houston Texans as their new general manager. It speaks volumes about the caliber of the front office that so many members are receiving looks for promotions elsewhere.