The Colts fired their longtime general manager Chris Ballard Monday, putting them on the market for a new football operations leader for the first time since 2017. There are numerous routes the Colts could take to find Ballard’s replacement, including handing the role to someone with no experience running a front office. Hall of Fame Quarterback Peyton Manninga Colt from 1998 to 2011, fits this description.
Since Ballard’s ouster, there have been conflicting reports about whether the Colts would be interested in returning Manning to a key position in the organization. On Monday’s episode of his radio and television show, Dan Patrick said he heard Manning would be the Colts’ first phone call. They would ask Manning “names and suggestions” and gauge his interest in the general manager position, according to Patrick. The Colts could also discuss an involvement with the 50-year-old.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon had not yet contacted Manning, a source told FOX 59’s Mike Chappell. However, Chappell isn’t ruling out the idea of the Colts reaching out to Manning, who led them to two AFC titles and a Super Bowl as a player. Indianapolis unveiled a statue of Manning outside Lucas Oil Stadium in 2017.
Manning finished his career in Denver, where he won two more AFC championships and a Super Bowl from 2012 to 2015. John Elwaygeneral manager of Denver during Manning’s tenure at Mile High, led the Broncos to five Super Bowls during his 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Broncos.
Manning could follow a similar career path to Elway if he returns to his old stomping grounds in Indianapolis to lead its front office. However, at this time it is unclear whether both parties are interested in discussing the work. Even if the Colts come calling, Manning might be content to continue focusing on his media company, Omaha Productions.
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