Colts Exec. Jimmy Raye “Clear Favorite” For GM Job, Still Expected To Draw Interest From Notable Candidates

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Colts interim GM Jimmy Raye III is the “clear favorite” for the full-time GM position.

• According to Rapoport, if HC Chuck Pagano has a vote in the matter, he’s going with Raye as the team’s GM.

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Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that “pretty much every prospective general manager” has been eyeing the Colts’ GM position for two years now, given the fact that they’ll be able to assemble their team around QB Andrew Luck.

Pelissero mentions that a lot of the same candidates who came up in regards to the 49ers’ GM vacancy should be in play for the Colts including: New England’s Nick Caserio, Green Bay’s Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst, Seattle’s Trent Kirchner and Minnesota’s George Paton. Another intriguing name to watch for the Colts, according to Pelissero, could be Falcons executive Scott Pioli.

Caserio is on every team’s list, so it’s not surprising to see his name come up. Both Wolf and Gutekunst received new contracts for the Packers but it’s still possible they could interview for the job.

Paton is considered to be the top candidate for the 49ers’ GM position right now, even though there’s currently no agreement in place. Kirchner and Pioli figure to be interesting names to watch in connection to the Colts’ job.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he plans to have an extensive search for the team’s next general manager, but Jimmy Raye III will interview for the position.

There’s still the possibility that Peyton Manning could take on a high-level executive role much like John Elway with the Broncos, but Isay told reporters that there isn’t anything in the works with Manning right now.

Irsay did, however, say that they will retain HC Chuck Pagano for the 2017 season. Although, there likely won’t be a mandate for the next GM to keep Pagano beyond next year.

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