The request was anticipated. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported on January 4 that Washington was expected to interview Mayhew. The search for a general manager wasn't set to kick off until the team completed its season, which came to an end on Saturday with a 31-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mayhew completed his fourth season with the 49ers and second in his current role for VP of player personnel. He spent a season with the New York Giants as the team's director of football operations before joining general manager John Lynch's executive staff in Santa Clara.
Mayhew has general manager experience. He held the role with the Detroit Lions from 2008 through 2015.
Should the 49ers lose Mayhew and watch defensive coordinator Robert Saleh land a head-coaching job, the team would receive compensatory third-round draft picks for three consecutive seasons. That is due to a recent measure rewarding the development of minority coaches and front-office executives.
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