As reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Buffalo Bills have hired Dan Morgan to be their director of player personnel. Garafolo indicates Morgan will replace Brian Gaine. In Buffalo, Gaine held the position of vice president of player personnel in 2017 before departing to be the general manager of the Houston Texans.
Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News confirmed the report of an interview, but Garafolo made it sound like a formality. Update: it was.
Morgan has plenty of NFL experience, being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2001 NFL Draft 11th overall. Morgan was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004 as well as an All-Pro nod. He was the starting middle linebacker when the Panthers narrowly lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bow XXXVIII. Morgan’s playing career effectively ended due to injury following the 2007 season. In 2011, Morgan joined the Seattle Seahawks management where he currently holds the title of Director of Pro Personnel.
Morgan has pre-existing Bills connections, which never hurts. General manager Brandon Beane was with the Panthers for Morgan’s playing career. Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander spent his first year in the league on the Panthers’ practice squad (2005 to 2006) which overlapped with Morgan’s time there as well.
Lorenzo Alexander has responded to the report of the expected move with praise for Morgan as a person:
“Nice! Taught me a lot as a Rookie. Hell of a player, better dude. Its a shame his career was cut short but has thrived in life after football,” tweeted Alexander.