The New England Patriots are currently on the lookout for their new general manager, aiming to find a replacement for Bill Belichick, who, apart from serving as the head coach, also acted as the team's de facto general manager throughout his entire tenure from 2000 to 2023.

With such a historic and successful team now searching for its next top football executive, at least one candidate is not interested in the job.

Cincinnati Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown has reportedly declined an interview request for the Patriots' de facto general manager position, according to league insider Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

The 39-year-old is expected to remain a top candidate for general manager positions around the NFL in next year's hiring cycle.

Brown has been with the Bengals since 2021, initially starting as a scout and advancing to his current position in 2022.

The Patriots gave Trey Brown his first NFL front-office job

After a brief NFL playing career, during which he made the Bears' practice squad in 2008, Brown transitioned to working in the front office.

He began his first role with the Patriots as a scouting assistant and area scout from 2010 to 2012 before moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013 to 2018.

Before joining the Bengals, Brown ventured into other leagues, such as the AAF and XFL.

The former UCLA player has interviewed for general manager positions three times: with the Bills in May 2017, with the Raiders in December 2018, and again with the Raiders in January 2022.