Indianapolis Colts Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Chris Ballard Books Second Colts Interview

January 29th, 2017 at 8:06am CST by Sam Robinson

The buzz surrounding Chris Ballard as Ryan Grigson‘s potential successor looks legitimate. The Chiefs’ director of football operations became the first candidate to secure a second interview with the Colts, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This could be a quick process, per Schefter, who reports (on Twitter) the Chiefs are bracing to lose Ballard to the Colts. The second summit is set for Sunday.

The four-year Chiefs executive was part of a six-person interview contingent that met with Colts brass from Wednesday-Friday in Mobile, Ala. As Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets, Ballard did not disappoint in that interview, and it appears as if he will, in fact, be offered the position. Per Breer, Ballard was the Colts’ top choice all along, although that of course conflicts with earlier reports tabbing interim GM Jimmy Raye III as the favorite for the job.

But Ballard and Packers exec Eliot Wolf emerged as the early favorites once the club began interviewing outside candidates, and rumblings of the Colts being “definitely intrigued by” John Dorsey‘s top lieutenant — and Ballard’s preferring Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub as his head coach — emerged yesterday. Ballard, Wolf and George Paton — whose interview reportedly went well — came away with positive reviews from the Colts’ meeting process thus far.

Despite the fact that Ballard would like to bring in Toub as his head coach, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says that Ballard’s having to work with Chuck Pagano — who will reportedly return for the 2017 campaign — will not be a deal-breaker. Instead, if the team is looking for a new head coach next offseason, the Colts could simply pursue Toub at that time (Twitter links).

After spending 12 seasons with the Bears in a scouting or scouting directorial capacity, Ballard has helped oversee a Chiefs resurgence in the mid-2010s. Only the Patriots, Seahawks and Broncos have more regular-season wins than the Chiefs’ 43 since 2013. Kansas City could be set to lose Ballard but will be retaining Dorsey for at least one more season after a report emerged Dorsey is in fact under contract through 2017.

The Chiefs blocked Ballard from interviewing with the 49ers but could not do so when the Colts’ GM job opened because league rules only enable this practice during the team’s season.

Colts Considering Ballard/Toub Partnership?

January 28th, 2017 at 6:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Colts aren’t expected to rush in their pursuit to fill their GM position, positive reviews continue to surround one candidate. The Colts are “definitely intrigued by” Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets. And that could be an interesting development because of Ballard’s ties to a recent head coaching candidate.

Ballard’s preferred choice as HC would be Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, per La Canfora. That is a logical pairing, but the Colts are not currently in the market for a head coach. Jim Irsay reaffirmed his commitment to Chuck Pagano and is prepared to bring him back for a sixth season. Pagano’s seat, though, would be arguably the hottest in the NFL going into 2017 after consecutive 8-8 seasons helped end the Pagano/Ryan Grigson partnership.

Ballard and Packers player operations director Eliot Wolf are considered the favorites for the Indianapolis GM position, a status interim GM Jimmy Raye III occupied last weekend before the official interviews commenced. The Colts met with all six of the candidates between Wednesday and Friday.

Irsay’s been connected to multiple head coaches this offseason, and while the owner said his conversations with ESPN analyst Jon Gruden were merely about the stete of his team, Sean Payton trade rumors also surfaced recently. The Colts said the call came from a Payton associate rather than being an Irsay-initiated process. Hiring a GM who has a coach preference not currently employed by the franchise would add to the uncertainty surrounding Pagano. Recently, much of Pagano’s staff received word they are going to remain in their positions for at least one more year.

The 54-year-old Toub interviewed for the Chargers’ and Broncos’ HC positions, being one of just three coaches Denver considered for its since-filled vacancy. Ballard and Toub have worked in Kansas City since John Dorsey‘s hire in 2013.

Latest On Colts’ General Manager Search

January 27th, 2017 at 6:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts aren’t rushing through their hunt for a new general manager, and have identified “no specific timetable” during which they will make a decision on their next personnel chief, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. The process isn’t expected to reach a conclusion for at least another week to 10 days, tweets Mike Garafolo of NFL.com.

[RELATED: 2017 GM Search Tracker]

Indianapolis and owner Jim Irsay finished up its first round of interviews, and follow-up meetings are to be scheduled, per Holder. Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard and Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf are considered the favorites for the position, reports Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), although incumbent candidate Jimmy Raye III — currently acting as the Colts’ interim GM — has also been mentioned as the leader in the clubhouse.

The six contenders — a list that includes the Seahawks’ Scott Fitterer and Trent Kirchner, the Vikings’ George Paton, and those listed above — are meeting with Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano as part of the interview exercise, tweets Garafolo, rightly noting that the “dynamic” between Pagano and the next general manager will be critical. The mandatory retaining of Pagano is a small barrier for some candidates, per Holder, but the vacancy is still viewed as highly attractive.

“What a great situation,” one of six contenders anonymously told Holder. “But you’ve got to fix that defense. It’s old.”

George Paton Willing To Take Colts' GM Job

January 27th, 2017 at 11:05am CST by Connor J. Byrne

Vikings assistant general manager George Paton‘s interview with the GM-needy Colts went “extremely well,” sources told Chris Hagan of FOX 59 (Twitter links). Paton has turned down as many as 10 opportunities to leave Minnesota’s front office in recent years, but he’d finally be willing to depart if the Colts were to offer him their GM job, according to Hagan. Of course, Paton’s also in the running for the GM role in San Francisco, where he’s a finalist for the position.

Colts Replace WRs Coach, Retain Most Of Staff

January 25th, 2017 at 2:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Colts are set for a front-office transition, they are set to return most of their offensive coaching staff, with one exception. The Bills’ previous wide receivers coach, Sanjay Lal, will make the move to Indianapolis to work in the same capacity, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Lal coached Buffalo’s wideouts for two seasons. Between 2009-14, he worked with the Raiders’ and Jets’ receiving corps. Lal replaces Lee Hull, whom the team dismissed.

Aside from that switch, the Colts will return OC Rob Chudzinski‘s staff. Former Dolphins HC Joe Philbin will remain in charge of Indianapolis’ offensive line, Quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer will return as well. Although, no such assurances are made to this staff beyond the 2017 season, and per Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, the assistants are exhibiting a sense of relief at the Senior Bowl that Ryan Grigson‘s firing did not come with a sizable staff shakeup.

Jim Irsay continues to consult with former Colts GM Bill Polian, per Holder, about the search to replace Grigson. Holder isn’t certain the Hall of Fame executive will sit in on the interviews, but it’s clear he’s functioning as a sounding board for his former boss.

Colts’ GM Candidates List Includes Kirchner, Excludes DeCosta

January 25th, 2017 at 12:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts have a list of six names they will interview for their vacant GM position. Jim Irsay confirmed Seahawks co-player personnel director Trent Kirchner as one of the six candidates, joining the remainder of a sextet that was each connected to the 49ers’ GM job.

The lone name connected to the Colts’ search the 49ers didn’t pursue, Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta, doesn’t appear among the candidates. So, it’s relatively safe to assume DeCosta’s trend of turning down interview requests continued despite his friendship with Chuck Pagano. DeCosta looks set to begin a 22nd season with the Ravens and a sixth as Ozzie Newsome‘s right-hand man. He’s viewed as a potential successor to Newsome when the Hall of Famer decides to step down.

Kirchner withdrew from the 49ers’ search last week but will see if the Colts’ job appeals to him. The seven-year Seahawks staffer will have some company, the remainder of whom we previously heard would interview for the latest NFL GM vacancy.

Kirchner’s co-player personnel director mate in Seattle, Scott Fitterer, will interview for the job. Vikings assistant GM George Paton, Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf, Chiefs player personnel director Chris Ballard and Colts interim GM/vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III comprise the rest of the list. Paton is the only name in this group who is a finalist for the 49ers’ job. He will meet with the 49ers for a second time on Saturday, joining Cardinals exec Terry McDonough in doing so.

Ballard is set to interview for the Colts’ job today, with Paton expected to follow suit either today or Thursday. Wolf’s interview will occur later this week as well.

Packers’ Eliot Wolf To Meet With Colts

January 25th, 2017 at 11:20am CST by Sam Robinson

Add Eliot Wolf to the list of names who will take the Colts up on their offer to interview for the vacant GM job. The 34-year-old Packers executive will meet with the Colts later this week to discuss his credentials for the position, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

The pursuit of the Colts’ top front-office position is clearing up, with Chiefs player personnel director Chris Ballard also agreeing to meet with Jim Irsay about the job. Ballard and Wolf join internal candidate Jimmy Raye III, Seahawks co-player personnel director Scott Fitterer and Vikings assistant GM George Paton as those who have accepted Indianapolis’ interview requests.

The 34-year-old Wolf recently signed a contract extension to stay in Green Bay, which helped influence him to bow out of the 49ers’ GM race despite being tabbed as a finalist. However, it appears as though the young executive may hold this latest opportunity in higher regard.

If hired, Wolf would not have the opportunity this year of selecting a new head coach with the Colts since Irsay reaffirmed his commitment to Chuck Pagano. But the 49ers’ GM candidates don’t appear to have that luxury either, with Kyle Shanahan having input as to which GM the team hires. And the winner of the race to replace Ryan Grigson in Indy will have a franchise quarterback to build around in Andrew Luck.

Colts To Interview Chris Ballard For GM Job

January 25th, 2017 at 10:52am CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts continue to traverse the path the 49ers did weeks ago at the outset of their GM search, and Indianapolis has requested permission to interview a candidate who didn’t end up getting that chance in San Francisco. The team sent out a request to meet with Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard, Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports (on Twitter).

Ballard will take the Colts up on their offer and interview for the job, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The interview will occur today, per Rapoport. Ballard joins Jimmy Raye III, Scott Fitterer and George Paton as confirmed candidates who will meet with Jim Irsay for the job.

This comes after the 49ers made the same request, but San Francisco didn’t have a chance to meet with the exec that was reportedly the team’s first choice because Kansas City blocked the move. With teams being able to block execs from interviewing for GM jobs during their respective seasons, the 49ers lost out on that opportunity. Since the Chiefs’ season is over, Ballard made the decision on his own and will vie for the job.

Ballard has been with the Chiefs for four seasons, coming to Kansas City at the same time GM John Dorsey did. In that span, the Chiefs have returned to being a perennial playoff contender after more than five years spent residing mostly near the bottom of the league. Kansas City finished its second straight season in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Colts Request GM Summit With Ravens’ Eric DeCosta

January 24th, 2017 at 2:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

A seventh name surged into the mix for the Colts’ GM job. The team sent an interview request toward Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets. DeCosta worked with Colts coach Chuck Pagano during Pagano’s stay in Baltimore.

DeCosta usually surfaces around this time of year, but the career Baltimore executive hasn’t followed through on leaving the organization yet. He was a candidate for the Seahawks’ GM post that John Schneider ended up filling in 2010, ultimately pulling out of the running. DeCosta declined Raiders interest years ago to fill their GM job and also chose not to interview with the Titans last year for the job Jon Robinson ended up taking. A Ravens staffer since the franchise’s metamorphosis in Maryland in 1996, DeCosta has served as Ozzie Newsome‘s right-hand man since 2012.

“I get a chance to work with my friends. Every day, I come in and work with my friends. I think it’s a relationship business,” DeCosta said in 2015 on why he continues to work in this capacity with the Ravens. “In the end, personal ambitions aside, all you have is really your reputation and your friends and your enjoyment in life. And I love Baltimore, the community.”

So, Jim Irsay‘s latest push might not be enough to sway him. Breer notes he and Pagano are close, so that could be a key element in this process. Regardless of whether the 45-year-old DeCosta takes the interview or not, he’s the seventh candidate to receive a request this week. And DeCosta is the first that did not come up during the 49ers’ search. The Colts have now requested three more interviews on Tuesday, with those for Eliot Wolf and Chris Ballard preceding DeCosta’s.

Cardinals’ Terry McDonough Set For Second 49ers Meeting

January 24th, 2017 at 1:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough will meet with the 49ers about their GM vacancy for a second time, doing so this weekend, Kent Somers of AZCentral.com tweets. The interview will occur on Saturday, likely in Atlanta, per Somers.

Vikings assistant GM George Paton, the only other known finalist, will also conduct his interview for the 49ers’ job on Saturday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (on Twitter). While McDonough previously resided as a finalist along with Paton, this confirms the two-man race. The team has not set up any additional follow-up meetings.

McDonough has not been connected with the Colts’ GM opening, while Paton is now in the running for both jobs. Paton is expected to meet with the Colts on Wednesday or Thursday, Alex Marvez of the Sporting News tweets. Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan, the runaway leader in the race to become the 49ers’ next HC, is scheduled to be at Paton’s meeting. Presumably, the Super Bowl-bound play-caller will be at McDonough’s as well.

McDonough’s official summons for a second sitdown with the 49ers comes after previous confirmed finalists Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst chose to sign extensions to stay with the Packers.

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