With venerable football commish Paul Tagliabue hanging it up after 16 years on the job, everyone’s wondering, “Who’s gonna fill Tags’ shoes?”

The best rumor we’ve heard yet: DC transplant and Secretary of State Condi Rice.

Says AOL Black Voices Columnist Roy Johnson:

Four years ago, she told The New York Times she’d definitely be interested in the gig, but “not before Paul Tagliabue is ready to step down. I want to say that for the record.”

Last year she told Jonathan Karl of ABC News: “I’m going to try to be a good Secretary of State and see if I can do this job well, and then we’ll see if the NFL is open.”

Besides, this way we can take over NFL Europe in time for the new season!