Chiefs Exec. Chris Ballard Considered Leading Candidate For Colts’ GM Job

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the Colts are expected to make a decision on who they’ll hire as GM in the next week or so, and possibly by the Super Bowl.

While early indications were that the Colts would likely promote Jimmy Raye III to GM, Garafolo mentions that Chiefs executive Chris Ballard is likely the leading candidate for the job right now.

Garafolo adds that candidates for the job to speak with head coach Chuck Pagano and are hoping that whoever they hire will make the relationship work with Pagano moving forward.

This fits with a recent report from Jason Cole of B/R said that Ballard and Packers executive Eliot Wolf are considered to be the favorites for the Colts’ GM vacancy right now.

Cole points out that while Ballard turned down an opportunity to interview for the 49ers’ GM position, the presence of QB Andrew Luck makes the Colts’ job much more appealing.

Earlier in the week, Albert Breer mentioned that the feeling he got over the weekend was that Ballard is the candidate who intrigues Indianapolis the most. Breer mentions that Ballard is well connected and would be able to assemble a “robust” staff to work with.

There have been rumors about Chiefs GM John Dorsey possibly returning to the Packers and taking over for their current GM Ted Thompson, which would leave Ballard in position to assume control over the Chiefs. Although, the possibility still exists that Dorsey could sign an extension along with HC Andy Reid at some point in the next year.

The Colts plan to interview six candidates in total for their vacancy including Ballard, Wolf, Seahawks executives Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer, Vikings assistant GM George Paton and Colts interim GM Jimmy Raye III.

Colts owner Jim Irsay is reportedly the one making the call on who will be the team’s next general manager, which some have interpreted as being a good sign he’ll go with Raye. However, it sounds like others could make this a tough call for Irsay.

The main selling point with the Colts’ GM position is the fact that they can offer candidates the ability to build the team around Luck, which isn’t an opportunity that comes with every GM vacancy.

We’ll have more regarding the Colts’ GM search as the news is available.