Chargers Are Close to Locking in Joe Hortiz As New General Manager
The Los Angeles Chargers are closing in on hiring Joe Hortiz as their next general manager, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Chargers completed their second interview with Hortiz on Friday. The only other GM candidate to get a second interview was New York Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown.
Hortiz was the Baltimore Ravens Director of Player Personnel, having worked with new Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh's brother, John Harbaugh, on the Ravens.
With this move, the Chargers have finally found a replacement for Tom Telesco, their previous GM of a decade.
Hortiz was part of one of the most well-run organizations for over two decades, serving in the Ravens front office from 1998 until now. Hortiz initially got a job with the Ravens as a personnel assistant, a role he served from 1998-2001 before becoming a scout. Hortiz worked his way up from a Pro scout to an area scout and ultimately a national scout between 2001-2008.
After his time as a national scout, Hortiz was promoted to the Ravens Director of College Scouting, a role he served from 2009-2018 before becoming the Director of Player Personnel.
During this period, Hortiz spent extensive time working under former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and current GM Eric DeCosta, who are two of the most well-respected GMs.
His time with the Ravens also makes him an appealing GM candidate because the Ravens are widely considered one of the best when it comes to acquiring and drafting talent. This season, the Ravens compiled one of the best overall rosters with talent like Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely, and Justin Madubuike all acquired or drafted over the last few years.
If Hortiz can help establish the roster and draft consistency he's had with the Ravens with the Chargers, it should be a bright future for Los Angeles. Assuming Hortiz becomes the Chargers' GM, he will have to do some handling of the Chargers current roster, which has some contract and salary cap issues.
Overall, Hortiz's experience and track record should make this new Chargers regime even more exciting.
