Some random musings about the Colts’ dismissal of Chris Ballard and their current predicament:
People keep asking me, “So who are they going to hire as GM?”
My honest answer is, “Not a clue.”
I don’t go to the Combine and hobnob with NFL executives over dirty martinis at Prime 47 while discussing front-office personnel. I know a handful of NFL executives, but I’m not nationally oriented, never have been. I pay attention to what’s going on in my market.
That said, I did talk yesterday with a current long-time NFL executive and asked if he would provide me with a short list of worthy candidates.
This is who he mentioned, in no particular order:
Jon Ferrari – He’s the Eagles’ assistant general manager and has cut his teeth with arguably the best GM in the league, Howie Roseman.
Adam Berry – He’s also an Eagles assistant GM (two of them?) who has a non-traditional background, having come up working in the financial world. Berry joined the Eagles in 2023 as director of football operations and strategy.
Terrence Gray – He’s long been considered a rising star in NFL circles and is currently assistant GM for the Buffalo Bills. He was once a college scout for the Vikings.
Glenn Cook – He got his start with the Colts as a scouting assistant, became a pro scout for Green Bay and is now assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel for the Cleveland Browns.
Jeff King – He joined the Chicago Bears in 2015, then climbed the ladder to assistant general manager.
Dawn Aponte – Yes, a woman, a very accomplished woman. She’s currently senior vice president of football operations and strategy for the New York Giants. She’s worked in the league office as well as the New York Jets, the Browns and the Miami Dolphins.
Not for nothing, I’ve heard the name of another women: Catherine Hickman, who is assistant general manager and vice president of football operations for the Browns.
Can you imagine Irsay-Gordon, in her first major move as owner, hiring the first female general manager in league history?
Would that be a story?
All things are possible.
I can say without hesitation that the Colts’ player do not care about saving Shane Steichen’s job beyond this year.
