Former Pro Bowler Eyes NFL Front Office Role

A former Pro Bowl offensive lineman who spent the majority of his career protecting quarterbacks in the trenches now wants to help build rosters from the executive suite.

Bryant McKinnie, the retired 6-foot-7 tackle who starred for the Minnesota Vikings before capturing a Super Bowl championship with the Baltimore Ravens, revealed his aspirations for a front office position during a recent visit to TMZ's offices. The former first-round draft pick made clear his desire to influence personnel decisions that he believes often miss the mark.

"I would like to work in the front office and try to help them out," McKinnie told TMZ.com. "Sometimes I sit there, I'm like, 'Who was making these decisions?'"

McKinnie did not mince words about his observations of current NFL roster construction, adding that he frequently questions the logic behind draft selections across the league.

"Sometimes I just feel like the picks just aren't making sense sometimes," McKinnie told TMZ.com.

The former offensive lineman indicated particular interest in recruiting and player evaluation, areas where he believes his extensive professional football experience would prove valuable. McKinnie's career included multiple seasons anchoring offensive lines for competitive franchises, providing him with firsthand knowledge of what separates successful players from draft busts.

When asked whether he would consider approaching his former teams about potential opportunities, McKinnie showed a preference for warmer climates over a return to the upper Midwest.

"Well, I don't know if I want to live back in Minnesota," McKinnie told TMZ.com, laughing.

Instead, the former tackle identified several organizations in more temperate regions as potential landing spots, specifically mentioning the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins as franchises he would consider joining.

"I wouldn't mind the Chargers, you know, somewhere with nice weather. The Dolphins, anybody," McKinnie told TMZ.com. "I feel like the Dolphins need somebody to come in who really has some wherewithal, like know what's going on, kind of help because I sometimes just don't know what the picks are."

Whether any NFL organization will provide McKinnie with an opportunity to transition from player to executive remains uncertain. The league has seen an increasing number of former players move into front office roles in recent years, though competition for such positions remains intense.

Beyond his interest in NFL management, McKinnie has remained active in retirement through various business ventures and a podcast, demonstrating the diverse skill set many former professional athletes develop after their playing careers conclude.