For the first 19 days after they fired Trent Baalke, the 49ers were the only NFL team looking for a general manager.
On Saturday, however, they finally had some company.
And on Monday, it appeared they could have competition.
Two days after the Colts entered the GM market by firing Ryan Grigson, they requested permission to interview the 49ers’ leading candidate, Minnesota assistant general manager George Paton. ESPN reported Indianapolis’ interest in Paton, who is scheduled to have a second interview with the 49ers in Atlanta on Friday or Saturday. The 49ers will use the meeting partly to see how Paton connects with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, their presumptive head coach.