The Vikings have promoted George Paton from director of player personnel to assistant general manager, the team revealed on its website today.
Paton was the front-runner for the general manager's job with the St. Louis Rams, but decided on Friday to stay with the Vikings. Profootballtalk.com reported Paton had been offered the Rams' job, which apparently now will go to Atlanta director of player personnel Les Snead. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported contract talks with Snead have been started by the Rams.
Paton has been with the Vikings since 2007. General manager Rick Spielman said, on the team's website: "His work ethic, leadership, professionalism and keen eye for identifying talented football players will continute to be a major asset for our organization."
