Report: Bucs Deny Chip’s Request For Interview

The latest name to surface in connection to the Eagles’ personnel exec job is Tampa Bay Bucs director of player personnel Jon Robinson.

But per Pro Football Talk, Tampa has blocked Chip Kelly from interviewing the candidate.

From Mike Florio:

To their credit, the Eagles aren’t playing the same game that others have played in the past, giving final say to a guy in writing but having someone else in the building who has the juice to tell him how to use it. To their detriment, the Eagles are having a hard time finding external candidates, and part of the reason undoubtedly relates to the lack of true power.

Then there’s the fact that whoever gets the job could be caught as the liaison between Kelly and former G.M./current executive V.P. of football operations Howie Roseman. Even though owner Jeffrey Lurie found a way to send them to their separate corners of the building, tension remains — and the new hire will be right in the middle of it.

Eagles coaches and scouts are either already in Mobile, Ala. for the Senior Bowl or on their way down (I’m in the airport right now, and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is on my flight).

Given that Kelly is still requesting permission to talk to candidates, it seems unlikely that he’s close to getting something done.

But he’ll be able to continue the research/interview process this week.