Indianapolis Colts Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Colts Request Interview With Eliot Wolf

January 24th, 2017 at 8:01am CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Packers awarded director of football operations Eliot Wolf a new contract to stay in Green Bay last week, but that apparently isn’t going to stop general manager-needy teams from courting him. The Colts, who are continuing to compile candidates in their search to replace the fired Ryan Grigson, have requested an interview with Wolf, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (Twitter link).

Wolf, 34, is the fifth known candidate with whom the Colts at least hope to meet. Along with Wolf, the Colts have thus far requested to speak with the Seahawks’ co-directors of player personnel — Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer — and will interview Vikings assistant GM George Paton. Indianapolis also has an in-house option, vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III, who could be the favorite to land the role.

Every serious candidate who has emerged for the Colts has also been under consideration for the 49ers’ still-vacant GM position this month. The only member of the group who’s still in the running is Paton. Wolf would have joined Paton as a finalist and gone through a second interview with the Niners this week had he not withdrawn from the race. While their job wasn’t able to entice him to leave Green Bay, perhaps he’ll entertain the notion of heading to Indianapolis and inheriting a franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck.

Jim Irsay Will Be Making GM Hire

January 23rd, 2017 at 9:37pm CST by Ben Levine

Colts owner Jim Irsay will be hiring the team’s new general manager on his own, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. Since Irsay won’t be relying on other team officials, Florio believes Irsay will lean towards promoting executive Jimmy Raye III. The writer cites the owner’s familiarity with Raye, as well as the executive’s supposed willingness to stick with head coach Chuck Pagano.

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Colts To Interview 49ers GM Finalist George Paton

January 23rd, 2017 at 12:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts’ list of candidates for their GM role thus far consists entirely of executives who interviewed with the 49ers as well, and one may have a choice to make. George Paton will interview with the Colts, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports.

Indianapolis requested an interview with Paton, along with Seahawks co-player personnel directors Scott Fitterer and Trent Kirchner, earlier today. Paton is scheduled to meet with the 49ers again on Friday or Saturday, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), where he’s slated to join Falcons’ OC Kyle Shanahan, Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports (via Twitter). Pelissero adds the Colts hope to meet with GM candidates in the next few days. They are also scheduled to meet with internal candidate Jimmy Raye III.

While each of the Colts’ candidates has interviewed with the 49ers, Paton is unique because he is a finalist for the San Francisco job. He’s “very much” the leader in that race, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star tweets. Complicating matters, the Colts have proven to feature a more stable environment, Ryan Grigson‘s ouster notwithstanding, in recent years. The 49ers became the first team in nearly 40 years to fire first-year coaches in back-to-back years, and the Colts obviously have a long-term quarterback in Andrew Luck. Despite underwhelming at 8-8, the Colts won more games in 2016 than the 49ers did in the past two seasons combined.

A 10-year Vikings exec, Paton rejected opportunities to leave Minnesota in recent years. But this time Rick Spielman‘s top staffer appears serious about becoming a GM elsewhere.

Colts Request Interviews With Trent Kirchner, Scott Fitterer, George Paton

January 23rd, 2017 at 10:39am CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts are invading the 49ers’ turf after establishing a GM search party nearly three weeks later. The team has requested interviews with three candidates on the 49ers’ initial list, including one that’s believed to be a finalist for the San Francisco job.

Indianapolis has requested interviews with Vikings assistant GM George Paton and the Seahawks’ co-directors of player personnel — Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer — according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter links).

Fitterer will interview for the position, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets, and the summit with the Colts is scheduled for Thursday.

This makes four known candidates for Indianapolis’ newly available GM job, with internal candidate Jimmy Raye III believed to be holding an early lead. However, the Colts are planning to interview four or five candidates, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, expecting some of these summits to occur in Mobile, Ala., at the Senior Bowl. Rapoport expects plenty of overlap in the two teams’ GM searches.

Paton remains in the running for the 49ers’ job after advancing through the first round of interviews. He joins Cardinals exec Terry McDonough as those considered to be finalists for the Bay Area vacancy. Kirchner bowed out of the 49ers’ GM race shortly after Tom Cable withdrew from the head coaching search, while Fitterer did not advance to the finalist stage, joining Raye in that regard. Fitterer dropped out of the running for an Eagles executive position last year.

Colts Tried To Trade For Saints’ Sean Payton?

January 22nd, 2017 at 8:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts expressed interest in acquiring Saints head coach Sean Payton this offseason, and though New Orleans was willing to consider a deal, the two clubs couldn’t agree on the final terms of a trade, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, Indianapolis COO Pete Ward, whom La Canfora identifies as the point man in talks, denies the report, per Mike Chappell of FOX59. Ward says an “associate” of Payton contacted the Colts to gauge the club’s interest in the Saints head coach, but Indy quickly conveyed that they did not want to deal for Payton.

Indianapolis has since announced one change to its decision-making structure — the firing of general manager Ryan Grigson — but head coach Chuck Pagano is still in place and is likely to remain the Colts’ head coach for the 2017 season. But Indianapolis and owner Jim Irsay are clearly fans of Payton, as the team reportedly targeted Payton during the 2016 offseason, as well. While Payton’s contract demands scuttled talks last year, this season’s negotiations ended because of New Orleans’ compensation requirements, which La Canfora reports were at least one draft choice in the top two rounds.

Had Payton been traded to the Colts, he likely would have brought Saints executive Jeff Ireland along as his general manager, per La Canfora. Ireland offers former GM experience, as he led the Dolphins front office 2008-13. Instead, Indianapolis has named VP of football operations Jimmy Raye III its interim GM, and Raye is the favorite to keep the job for the 2017 campaign. By installing Raye, the Colts are keeping their options open, and could potentially completely clean house — and bring in an all-new front office and coaching staff — for the 2018 season, writes La Canfora.

Payton had garnered interest from other clubs this offseason, and the Rams were perhaps the most serious suitors, as reports indicated that Los Angeles would pursue a trade for Payton. Other potential landing spots for Payton, who prefers a West Coast home, included the Chargers and 49ers. However, Payton, who is signed with New Orleans through 2020, will stay with the Saints for at least one more season.

Colts Hired Psychologists For Grigson, Pagano

January 22nd, 2017 at 12:17pm CST by Rory Parks

It had long been speculated that one or both of Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson would be fired after the 2016 season, and although it took a little longer than expected, Grigson was relieved of his duties yesterday. Pagano, meanwhile, will reportedly keep his job for the 2017 season (though there are rumors that he, too, could be dismissed if he fails to deliver a championship to Indianapolis next year).

As Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star reports in a series of Twitter links, there was a significant rift between Pagano and Grigson by the time the 2015 season rolled around, and nothing improved in 2016. Holder says that, this past season, Pagano went into his “bunker” and Grigson went into his, and the dysfunction was such that it was surprising that anything got done.

Holder adds (via Twitter) that owner Jim Irsay went to great lengths over the past several weeks to sort out the issues with his club, and he apparently concluded that the best thing for the Colts was to “untie” Grigson and Pagano, who both joined the team in 2012. Holder observes in a full-length piece that Irsay did not mention any of Grigson’s personnel-related shortcomings when he outlined his reasons for making a change. Instead, he said, “I don’t think you guys understand and give Ryan enough credit for what he’s done here. I really don’t.”

Those statements led Holder to believe that it was the flaws in the Grigson-Pagano relationship that ultimately triggered Grigson’s dismissal, and a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter lends a great deal of support to that theory. As Schefter writes, the Colts brought in psychologists to help repair the relationship, and the primary focus was on ways Pagano and Grigson could improve their communication. Schefter added, “one person compared the meetings to a couple going to marriage counseling, hoping they could work out their issues with the help of a third party.”

Obviously, that innovative step did not work, as the differences between Grigson and Pagano proved to be irreconcilable.

We learned earlier today that interim GM Jimmy Raye III is currently viewed as the favorite to replace Grigson on a permanent basis.

Jimmy Raye III Favorite For Colts’ GM Job

January 22nd, 2017 at 8:28am CST by Rory Parks

Jimmy Raye III, who is acting as the Colts’ interim GM in the wake of Ryan Grigson‘s dismissal, is the favorite to become the team’s full-time GM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport adds that, if head coach Chuck Pagano has a vote in the matter–and it’s not clear that he does, given his apparently tenuous grasp on his own position–Raye would get that vote.

We learned last night that the Colts’ GM job is viewed as one of the premier posts in the NFL, and that it would attract the eye of multiple rival executives. And that makes sense, given that Indianapolis has a star quarterback already signed to a long-term deal, an owner who, for all his eccentricities, does exhibit patience with his hires, and the potential opportunity to hire a new head coach at the end of the 2017 season. But despite the attractiveness of the position, the Colts may already have their man in Raye, who interviewed for the 49ers’ GM job but did not make the list of finalists.

Raye, who participated in all of two games in his NFL playing career (as a wide receiver for the Rams in 1991), certainly paid his dues over the following two-plus decades. He served as the Chiefs’ offensive quality control coach in 1995 before working in the Chargers’ organization from 1996-2012, first as a scout, then as director of college scouting, then as director of player personnel. He joined the Colts in 2013 as the club’s vice president of football operations, and he served in that capacity until yesterday, when he became the interim GM.

Raye is the son of Jimmy Raye II, who worked as a coach and offensive coordinator for a number of teams from 1977-2013.

Colts GM Job Viewed As Highly Attractive

January 21st, 2017 at 9:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

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.

Latest On Colts’ Decision-Making Structure

January 21st, 2017 at 5:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts will conduct an expansive GM search, owner Jim Irsay said Saturday (via Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, on Twitter) and one that will include internal candidate Jimmy Raye III. The team will interview Raye, the Colts’ VP of football operations, for the position, and Raye will serve as interim general manager in the meantime.

Raye and Chuck Pagano will travel to the Senior Bowl to head up the team’s presence there. Pagano will stay on as the Colts’ coach in 2017, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This comes after Irsay fired GM Ryan Grigson, whose hire led to Pagano’s in 2012.

“I hope Chuck can be our coach for many years to come. He is our coach,” Irsay said.

Another report surfaced just before Irsay’s press conference noting Peyton Manning has a high-level Colts executive job waiting for him if he wants it, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com writes. However, Irsay said today Manning is not in consideration for the GM job, Scheter tweets. The owner and his previous employee had conversations this offseason, however, and Breer tweets Manning would be considered for a role in the organization, per Irsay.

Regarding the Jon Gruden pursuit, Irsay denied he talked to the current ESPN analyst for the team’s HC position. Instead, the owner said the conversations with Gruden were to get feedback on the team, per Holder (on Twitter). Irsay also said he’s had discussions with former GM Bill Polian but added he will not have a role with the organization, Holder tweets.

Raye interviewed for the 49ers’ GM job but was not given finalist consideration. Irsay noted today he has a list of candidates in mind, but the assortment is fluid at this point, Holder tweets.

Colts Fire GM Ryan Grigson

January 21st, 2017 at 2:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jim Irsay‘s long wait regarding a commitment to his top decision-makers appears to be over. The Colts relieved GM Ryan Grigson of his duties today, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Grigson spent five seasons as Indianapolis’ GM, but Irsay had not given an indication despite the Colts being more than three weeks into their offseason that he would be back for 2017. The Colts announced Irsay will address the media later today.

Chuck Pagano is believed to be safe for the time being, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, but Irsay pulling the trigger on the Grigson ouster nearly three weeks after the season ended shouldn’t create any job security among Colts staffers. Regardless, Indianapolis’ offseason start will be delayed considerably because of this timing.

Irsay has been operating in secret attempting to hire a new GM and coach, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports (on Twitter). La Canfora adds (via Twitter) the Colts think highly of vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III, who interviewed for the 49ers’ GM job but did not make the list of finalists.

Irsay made some headlines last week when a report emerged he pursued both Jon Gruden and Peyton Manning for a coaching/front-office setup. That didn’t end up coming to fruition, but the owner’s frustration at the state of the franchise has produced a job casualty. Should Pagano return, he will certainly be on the hot seat. Both Grigson and Pagano were thought to be on the way out after an 8-8 season in 2015, but Irsay signed both to extensions instead in a development that surprised many.

Following their extensions, the Colts again missed the playoffs — this time with a full season of Andrew Luck‘s services. That had not happened since Luck arrived. The 2015 season featured just seven games of the Colts’ starting quarterback being healthy and could have been written off. But Indy repeating with an 8-8 record proved too much for the Irsay, who hadn’t seen his franchise miss consecutive AFC playoff brackets since the 1997-98 seasons.

The 44-year-old Indiana native was a first-time GM upon being hired to succeed Hall of Famer Bill Polian, and the Colts immediately rebounded from the 2-14 in 2011 with a run of playoff berths behind Luck. Indianapolis went 11-5 for the next three years, finishing each season one week later, peaking with the Deflategate-marred 2014 AFC championship game. Following the 2012 draft that included Luck and T.Y. Hilton, the Colts have not been able to acquire similar talent. None of Grigson’s 2013 draftees remain on the team, and the much-hyped 2015 veteran contingent added to potentially push the Colts to the Super Bowl largely did not pan out. Only Frank Gore excelled when given a key role upon being brought in along with Andre Johnson and Trent Cole.

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