Now that the Colts have fired general manager Ryan Grigson, the Indianapolis vacancy figures to attract the eye of multiple rival executives, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, who adds that the Colts job is viewed as one of the premier posts in the NFL.
[RELATED: 2017 GM Search Tracker]
The Indianapolis gig does offer a number of factors that would be incredibly attractive to GM contenders, and chief among them is the presence of Andrew Luck, a franchise quarterback who is already signed to a long-term contract. Additionally, owner Jim Irsay has shown patience with his prior hires, meaning that any potential new executive could expect a long leash. The Colts’ next general manager might also have the chance to hire his own coach if the club struggles again under Chuck Pagano in 2017.
One barrier for prospective candidates could be the specter of former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who is said to have a standing offer to assume a role within the Indianapolis front office. While Irsay said today that Manning is not in consideration for the club’s GM job, it would be fair for interviewees to worry about Manning being hired at a later point. As Pelissero notes, however, the Colts could put such a matter to rest by giving the new general manager full control over the roster.
At present, the only known candidate for the vacancy is Colts vice president of football operation Jimmy Raye III, who is also acting as interim GM for the time being. Pelissero speculates that many of the contenders for the 49ers opening — including the Packers’ Brian Gutekunst and Eliot Wolf, the Vikings’ George Paton, and the Patriots’ Nick Caserio — could be involved in Indianapolis’ search, while Atlanta assistant GM Scott Pioli could also be in play.
Is there anyway Jim Harbaugh is hired as GM/Head Coach?
I think that if Pugano doesn’t succeed this year Harbaugh will be coaching this team next season. A Harbaugh/Luck reunion and a Harbaugh/Colts reunion. I’ve felt this is a possibility for a while now but I really think it will happen not this coming up season but the next if the Colts do not only make the playoffs but make a good playoff run. I personally do not blame Pugano for the Colts not being that good of a team. They don’t have much talent besides Luck and a few others. It’s just like they did with Manning. They expect them to completely carry the team. They need to fix that O Line and protect Luck and also get some help on defense.
Your spot on, I’ve been thinking it myself since the season ended, Harbaugh will be the colts coach in 2018. It just makes total sense given his relationship with luck and that he’s a former colt. No matter what he does at Michigan, he will always have that itch to go back to the NFL and the colts make the most sense
I don’t see how this could be an attractive team other than Irsays patience, can’t pick head coach right away, team has no defensive talent, barely any offensive talent, Luck can’t stay healthy because of O-line this team needs a TON of work, I’d rather work for the Browns than Colts
@Clark Have you ever played a down of football in your life? You lost me comparing the Clowns with the Colts. Shows you know nothing about football. Colts are 2-3 drives away from winning the AFC south. The Browns barely scraped together 1 win. lol
I have played football but I don’t see how playing it has anything to do with what I see? Browns could be competitive this next season, they have a defensive leader in Collins, their defense is much better than the colts, if the manage to draft a QB and stud defensive player in the first round, and make a couple of splashes in FA this could be a 8 win team, however the Colts aren’t really going anywhere
Drafting a stud QB is a lot easier said than done, and it seems especially harder for the Browns to accomplish for whatever reason…I do think the Browns have some upside but I’m taking the Colts gig over the Browns…having Andrew Luck under center is huge, all you need to do is keep him upright and fix that defense and you’re a deep playoff team every season…plus I’d rather battle with the AFC South than the AFC North during the season
Eliot Wolf should be the hire
That would be hilarious if he decided to take another job after turning down Jed Dork and the 49ers