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.
Great move
finally! good riddance! a year past due, but I’ll take it as a lifelong fan
It’s about time. Irsay must’ve sobered up and realized what was going on with his team.
Don’t mean to be a jerk here but Anthony castonzo was the last first round pick of the Pollan era and Grigson should get no credit for an actually somewhat average to above average player
*polian era
Now let’s see if all those who interviewed for the 49ers job will interview and not withdraw.
Bet they will 😉
He was a pathetic drafter. It will be hilarious if the 49ers hire him.