HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Plan For Developing Young QB Helped Shane Steichen Land Colts Job

February 15th, 2023 at 2:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Known to make a few headline-worthy comments, Jim Irsay let another fly while introducing Shane Steichen as the Colts’ next head coach. The Colts have been linked to a potential trade-up for a quarterback — a scenario GM Chris Ballard said would be on the table last month — and Irsay kept such a maneuver front and center.

“Do you trade up? There’s so many things you can do,” Irsay said. “The [Eagles] took Jalen [Hurts] in the second round. … Although, the Alabama guy doesn’t look bad, I tell ya.”

[RELATED: Colts Do Not Commit To Retaining DC Gus Bradley]

Heisman winner Bryce Young has been viewed as a top-five prospect in the weeks leading up to the Combine. While Young’s 5-foot-10 frame makes him a unique talent to choose so early, ESPN.com’s Todd McShay slots him as his No. 1 overall prospect. McShay’s first mock draft features the Colts trading up from No. 4 to No. 1 with the Bears to draft Young. Housing a bevy of needs and a quarterback who nearly set the position’s single-season rushing record in Justin Fields, the Bears will undoubtedly entertain trading down.

“Knowing we’re going to have to find a young quarterback to develop,” Irsay said he favored an offense-oriented coach. Steichen’s pitch sold the outspoken owner. The former Eagles and Chargers OC laid out a specific blueprint for how he would develop a young quarterback, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com notes. This made a clear impact in Steichen landing the job, pointing to the Colts stopping their string of stopgap quarterbacks. Indianapolis has used veterans as primary starters at the position each year since Andrew Luck‘s surprise retirement, going from Jacoby Brissett to Philip Rivers to Carson Wentz to Matt Ryan.

Steichen played the lead role in developing Justin Herbert as a rookie, as Chargers offensive coordinator during Anthony Lynn‘s final season, and took over Eagles play-calling duties midway through the 2021 campaign. With Steichen calling plays throughout this past Eagles season, Hurts removed the doubt attached to his future as Philadelphia’s franchise quarterback. After the Eagles pursued bigger names in 2022, Hurts emerged as an MVP candidate and finished his season with 374 total yards in Super Bowl LVII.

Steichen met with Colts brass via Zoom, met with Irsay in Philadelphia and then met with Ballard and Co. for his official second interview. The Colts had ruled out Jeff Saturday by the time Steichen went through his second meeting, with Zak Keefer of The Athletic noting the team decided against keeping its interim coach weeks ago (subscription required).

Steelers Assistant HC John Mitchell Retires

February 15th, 2023 at 12:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

The longest-tenured coach on the Steelers’ staff, John Mitchell announced his retirement Wednesday. The Steelers announced the assistant head coach, who has been with the franchise since 1994, will not return in 2023.

Mitchell, 71, has been an NFL assistant since 1991, when he joined Bill Belichick‘s Browns staff. He signed on to be the Steelers’ defensive line coach under Bill Cowher in 1994 and continued to work in that role for most of his Pittsburgh tenure. This will obviously mark a significant change for the Steelers. Mitchell has been in coaching at the pro or college levels for 50 years.

“I’m grateful to the Rooney family for the wonderful opportunity to coach and work for the Steelers for nearly 30 years,” Mitchell said. “It was truly an honor. I’d also like to thank Coach Tomlin for giving me the opportunity to stay with the franchise when Coach Cowher retired. I will treasure my time in Pittsburgh and appreciate everyone affiliated with the organization.”

A former running back, Mitchell carved out a memorable legacy as a player as well. Mitchell was the first Black player to play football for Alabama, breaking that barrier in 1971. He also became the first Black All-American for the team. Shortly after his playing career ended, Mitchell became Bear Bryant’s first Black assistant coach. Mitchell remained in the college ranks for many years, with a USFL tenure breaking up that run, before signing on with the Browns in 1991.

Mitchell oversaw the likes of Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton during his time with the Steelers, who rode elite defenses to Super Bowl trips in 1995, 2005, 2008 and 2010. The Steelers ranked in the top 10 against the run 17 times during Mitchell’s 24-year stay as defensive line coach, slotting first in that department on five occasions. Mitchell stepped away from that post after the 2017 season but continued with the team in an AHC capacity.

“Coach Mitch has been a pivotal member of the Steelers organization, in a variety of roles, for the better part of 30 years,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “When you consider his path, as both a player and coach, Mitch created opportunities in football for young Black men that quite honestly didn’t previously exist. He has left an imprint on this franchise, and the sport and culture of football, that will continue well beyond his retirement.”

Calvin Ridley Applies For Reinstatement

February 15th, 2023 at 11:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Moved to the Jaguars just before the 2022 trade deadline, Calvin Ridley will attempt to make his way back into the NFL. Ridley’s gambling suspension sidelined him last season, and the former first-round pick must apply for reinstatement to return.

Wednesday marks the first day Ridley could apply to be reinstated, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports the embattled wide receiver did just that (Twitter link). The Jags acquired Ridley from the Falcons for a package that hinges on his availability and potential second contract.

The league handed Ridley the suspension after an investigation concluded he bet on NFL games during a short period in November 2021. Ridley is on the short list of players to be banned for gambling — one that includes Hall of Famers Paul Hornung and Alex Karras, and former top-five QB pick Art Schlichter — but upon making the trade, the Jags received assurances he would be ready to play in 2023.

Ridley, 28, has been out longer than his suspension duration. The former 1,000-yard receiver left the Falcons abruptly midway through the 2021 season, citing mental health issues. Ridley last played on Oct. 24, 2021. The Jags still took him off the Falcons’ payroll, adding a four-year starter to a receiving corps that looks a bit more promising after the results of last season.

Jacksonville signed Christian Kirk to a four-year, $72MM contract — a deal that became more reasonable after the receiver market’s boom over the next few months — and gave Zay Jones a three-year, $24MM deal. Ridley is still tied to his rookie contract, which calls for an $11.12MM fifth-year option in 2023. That option is now the Jags’ responsibility. The Jags now have a reasonable path to a 2023 pass-catching corps featuring Kirk, Jones, Ridley and tight end Evan Engram, whom they want to re-sign.

Once the NFL rules on Ridley, a path to him practicing with his new team will come into focus. Ridley teamed with Julio Jones for three seasons in Atlanta but emerged as the Falcons’ top target when Jones went down with a hamstring injury in 2020. Ridley, who caught 90 passes for 1,374 yards that season, totaled 28 career touchdown receptions prior to his 2021 hiatus. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native has regularly been training on his own ahead of his next opportunity.

NFC South Notes: Bucs, QBs, Maye, Panthers

February 15th, 2023 at 10:26am CST by Sam Robinson

Tom Brady‘s retirement shoved the Buccaneers‘ void-years bill to 2023, and the $35.1MM cap hit will complicate the team’s plans to replace the all-time great. Tampa Bay is more than $55MM over the cap, as of Wednesday, and has upper-crust cornerback Jamel Dean on track for free agency. While the rest of the NFC South is being connected to quarterbacks, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets the Bucs should not be considered players for top-tier QB free agents. This would include Jimmy Garoppolo and almost definitely Derek Carr, and while Stroud adds the team will look at the market, the Bucs’ price range could be considered in the midlevel area.

Former second-rounder Kyle Trask, whom Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes Bucs players are high on as a player who can compete for the starting job (after two years in development), is the only quarterback left on the roster. The team holds the No. 19 overall pick. Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • The Saints have been the team most closely connected to Carr. They will need to complete their usual batch of winter restructures to be in position to pay him, though there are not as many avenues available to the crafty organization compared to recent years. But the Saints started their path to cap compliance Wednesday. They restructured Marcus Maye‘s deal, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. By moving $6.07MM of Maye’s salary into a signing bonus, the team created $4.85MM in cap space. Baby steps. The Saints are still more than $50MM over the cap.
  • Another Matt Rhule-era hire is no longer with the Panthers. The team parted ways with VP of player personnel Pat Stewart, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. Stewart, who worked with Rhule at both Western Carolina and Temple, joined the Panthers in 2020.
  • New Panthers HC Frank Reich will bring in ex-Rams assistant Jonathan Cooley, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic tweets. Cooley is set to join the Panthers as their defensive backs coach. He and new Carolina DC Ejiro Evero worked together in Los Angeles, with the Rams promoting Cooley after Evero left for Denver last year. The Rams, despite blocking Cooley from interviewing with the Vikings in 2022, fired him just after this past season ended.
  • Another Rams staffer fired along with Cooley in January will catch on in the NFC South. The Saints are hiring Kevin Carberry to be their assistant offensive line coach, Yates adds (on Twitter). Carberry served as the Rams’ offensive line coach during their Super Bowl LVI-winning 2021 season and last year. He will replace Zach Strief, who is now the Broncos’ O-line coach.
  • When Ryan Jensen went down during a July practice, he tore his MCL and PCL fully but only partially tore his ACL. This allowed for the veteran Buccaneers center to avoid surgery, Dan Pompei of Athletic notes (subscription required). Jensen also suffered meniscus damage, per Pompei, who adds retirement was a consideration for the injured blocker. Jensen took out a $5MM insurance policy in the event of a career-ending injury. A stem cell treatment in Antigua, however, made a difference in Jensen’s recovery. The 31-year-old blocker managed to make it back to practice late in the season and played in Tampa Bay’s wild-card loss to Dallas. Two years remain on Jensen’s three-year, $39MM contract.
  • Eddy Pineiro came to Charlotte as a Zane Gonzalez replacement, but the ex-Bears kicker fared well. Pineiro made 33 of 35 field goals, including a 15-for-16 mark from beyond 40 yards, and Person views him as the most likely Panthers kicker in 2023. Gonzalez suffered a preseason quad injury, leading to a full-season IR stay. The Rhule signee is under contract through 2023, while Pineiro is a free agent. But the latter has ties to special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, whom Person adds Reich is retaining. Tabor coached Pineiro in Chicago as well.

Panthers Add Parks Frazier To Staff

February 15th, 2023 at 9:14am CST by Sam Robinson

Frank Reich has neither committed to calling plays nor hired an offensive coordinator, but his staff is filling up with notable names. Reich’s latest Panthers hire qualified for such status as a result of the Colts firing their head coach last year.

Carolina’s new HC added former Indianapolis lieutenant Parks Frazier to his staff Wednesday. Frazier, who became the Colts’ play-caller under Reich’s replacement, will rejoin the coach that hired him in Indianapolis. Frazier will take over as the Panthers’ pass-game coordinator.

Just 31, Frazier unexpectedly rose from an assistant quarterbacks coach role into a play-calling position. This came because Reich’s ouster led to both quarterbacks coach Scott Milanovich and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery turning down Jeff Saturday‘s offer to call plays. This left Frazier for the gig. While that provided valuable experience, Frazier should not be expected to call plays for the Panthers.

Reich hired Frazier from the college ranks back in 2018, bringing him to Indy as his assistant. He rose to the quality control level and into the assistant QBs coach role before receiving the surprising nod to become Saturday’s interim offensive coordinator. The Colts went 1-7 under the Saturday-Frazier setup, starting three quarterbacks, and the Colts moved on via Shane Steichen. But Reich’s staff in Carolina is filling up.

The Panthers have already hired HC candidate Ejiro Evero to run the defense and added Jim Caldwell, Josh McCown and Duce Staley on offense. Carolina’s original HC, Dom Capers, is also back on staff.

Cardinals Hire Jonathan Gannon As HC

February 14th, 2023 at 10:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

The final head coaching vacancy of the 2023 head coaching cycle is set to be filled. The Cardinals are finalizing a deal to make Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon their new HC, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). The team has since confirmed the hire.

Signs increasingly pointed to Gannon being the Cardinals’ top choice beginning on Super Bowl Sunday, when it was reported that an interview would be set up. At that point, Arizona was believed to be down to two finalists to lead their staff (Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka). Things quickly shifted, and now Gannon is set for his first head coaching gig.

Monday, a report surfaced that the Cardinals had essentially narrowed down their list of finalists to Gannon and Anarumo. Today’s news confirms that, and leaves Kafka in place for another season at the helm of the Giants’ offense, a role in which he achieved unexpected success. Anarumo, meanwhile, is now free to prepare for a fifth consecutive season in charge of the Bengals’ defense, a unit which has come on strong in recent years in particular. Brian Flores was among the candidates receiving serious consideration for Arizona’s HC vacancy, but he withdrew to take the Vikings’ defensive coordinator position.

Gannon, 39, joined Nick Sirianni in making the jump from Indianapolis to Philadelphia in 2021. The Eagles’ defense performed well in their first season together, putting up the league’s No. 10 total defense. The unit took a considerable step forward with another year of Gannon at the helm and an infusion of several high-end players during the offseason. In 2022, Philadelphia ranked top-10 in both both points and yards allowed, figures which helped guide the team to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Strong performances in the postseason (including an NFC title game against the 49ers, who were without a healthy quarterback for much of the game, in fairness) took the Eagles to the Super Bowl. Much has been made about the team’s breakdown in the second half in particular against the Chiefs, but Gannon still boasts a strong resume given his success in his first coordinator gig. That has translated to a first-time HC posting, where he will build off of a strong relationship with new Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets that the personal connection between the pair helped give Gannon an edge over Anarumo, who interviewed well. Now, attention will turn to his choice for offensive coordinator, and his ability to steer the team back towards contention after a disastrous 2022 season. Arizona’s regression left it as little surprise that both Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim are no longer in place, despite each having multiple years remaining on their contracts before their departures.

Gannon will face a tall order in terms of helping the Cardinals take a step forward on both sides of the ball, as his now-former Eagles counterpart Shane Steichen does in Indianapolis. The reporting of Gannon’s hire comes mere hours after Steichen’s was announced by the Colts, leaving the Eagles as the first team in a decade to lose both their offensive and defensive coordinators in the same offseason. Attention will now turn to how Philadelphia compensates, as well as how Gannon fills out his staff as the coaching cycle winds down.

Coaching Notes: Cards, Kingsbury, Chargers

February 14th, 2023 at 9:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mentioned as a candidate to reunite with Sean Payton, Mike Zimmer also may be under consideration for another reunion. Jonathan Gannon, one of Zimmer’s original hires with the Vikings back in 2014, appears to have the veteran coach on his radar for his Cardinals staff, Howard Balzer of gophnx.com tweets. Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis also may be on Gannon’s radar to head to Arizona, per Balzer. Gannon spent four seasons on Zimmer’s Minnesota staff, working as the Vikings’ assistant defensive backs coach. Rallis, 29, was on Zimmer’s Vikes staff from 2018-20, before joining the Eagles. It will be interesting to see if Zimmer, 66, has multiple options to return to an NFL post.

As for Gannon’s Cardinals staff as a whole, some of Kliff Kingsbury‘s assistants are in limbo. Vance Joseph and others have not been informed of their future with the Cards, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports tweets. Joseph was initially a candidate to replace Kingsbury and interviewed for the job, but the four-year Arizona DC did not reach the finalist stage.

With all five HC positions now filled, here is the latest from the coaching ranks:

  • Back from Thailand, Kingsbury has now met with multiple teams. After interviewing for the Texans’ OC post, the four-year Cardinals HC met with the Ravens. The sides discussed an unspecified staff position, Anderson tweets. This Sunday interview of sorts did not produce an agreement. Kingsbury is still in line to collect considerable cash from his 2022 Cardinals extension, but the Texans and Ravens hired others — Bobby Slowik, Todd Monken, respectively — to run their offenses.
  • Staying in Baltimore, Monken will have input in how the next Ravens offensive staff looks, per Anderson. The Ravens, as should be expected given their situation, followed through with their pledge to involve Lamar Jackson in the OC search as well (Twitter links). Monken, who collected two national titles while at Georgia, last coached in the NFL as the Browns’ OC in 2019.
  • Justin Herbert‘s 2023 brain trust will consist of ex-Cowboy staffers. After hiring Kellen Moore, the Chargers are adding Doug Nussmeier as quarterbacks coach, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets. Nussmeier, an OC at five college programs from 2008-17, was with the Cowboys for five seasons — the past three as QBs coach. The 52-year-old assistant had multiple offers for 2023 NFL gigs, per Russini (on Twitter).
  • As the Broncos cycled through head coaches over the past several seasons, they kept Zach Azzanni in place. A Joseph hire back in 2018, Azzani stayed on as wide receivers coach under Vic Fangio and Nathaniel Hackett. Azzanni interviewed with both the Bills and Jets for the AFC East clubs’ respective wide receivers coach roles over the past two days, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com notes (on Twitter). While these meetings could signal Payton has other plans for this job, Pelissero adds the Broncos could still retain the highly regarded position coach to work for a fourth HC.
  • The Broncos will lose one of their quality control staffers to the Cowboys. Ramon Chinyoung is leaving Denver to become Dallas’ assistant offensive line coach, per 9News’ Mike Klis (on Twitter). The Cowboys are also hiring Will Harriger as an offensive assistant, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Harriger, who spent last season as a USC assistant, has worked with both Brian Schottenheimer and Dan Quinn. Harriger previously served as the Seahawks’ assistant quarterbacks coach from 2016-18 and later was part of Quinn’s Falcons staff.
  • Shortly after the Broncos interviewed Rex Ryan for their DC job, the ESPN analyst’s son is in the mix for a title bump. The Jets requested an interview with Seth Ryan for their wide receivers coach position, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). A third-generation NFL coach, Seth is currently the Lions’ assistant receivers coach. Just 28, Ryan has an NFL assistant for four seasons. He has been with the Lions for the past two. Although Azzanni is also in the mix for this Jets job, Seth Ryan working for his father’s former team is on the radar.

Cowboys Likely To Use Franchise Tag On Tony Pollard

February 14th, 2023 at 8:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys have entered a few offseasons in recent years with moving parts. This year, Dallas’ running back position may be at the forefront there. Tony Pollard is on track for free agency, and Ezekiel Elliott‘s cap number appears untenable.

Pollard rocketed into the upper echelon of a crowded free agent running back class this past season, but signs continue to point to the Cowboys not allowing their Pro Bowler to reach the market. The Cowboys are strongly considering using their franchise tag on Pollard, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. Taking it a step further, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline offers that the Cowboys will place the tag on the four-year veteran.

This emerged as a possibility late in the season, shortly after Pollard secured his first Pro Bowl invite. A fractured fibula and high ankle sprain interfered with Pollard participating in the various competitions this year’s Pro Bowl brought, but the former fourth-round pick is not at risk of missing time to start the 2023 season as a result. And the Cowboys want to keep the rising talent in the fold.

Pollard, who will turn 26 in April, can be cuffed for just $10.1MM — this year’s second-lowest tag number — and other teams will be considering tagging backs. Josh Jacobs appears a near-lock to be retained via a Raiders tag, while the Giants will need to consider a Saquon Barkley tag (though, Daniel Jones‘ contract looks to now supersede the Pro Bowl back’s). Pollard’s profile checks in a bit lower, but the Memphis product has been the Cowboys’ best back for multiple seasons now.

The Cowboys changed play-callers, parting ways with OC Kellen Moore to give Mike McCarthy the reins in Dallas for the first time. Pollard and CeeDee Lamb reside as the team’s top playmakers; the former totaled 1,378 scrimmage yards and tied with Elliott for a team-high 12 touchdowns last season. Pollard’s lack of wear and tear (631 career touches; 24th among backs since 2019) opens the door to a productive late-20s stretch.

To go along with this, the Cowboys will almost definitely need to adjust Elliott’s contract — or shed it from their payroll. Elliott said he would be amenable to a pay reduction to stay in Dallas. The two-time rushing champion, whom Jerry Jones has consistently praised despite declining production, is due to count $16.72MM on the Cowboys’ 2023 payroll. Many around the NFL believe the former No. 4 overall pick will accept a large pay decrease to stay in Dallas, Pauline adds. Were the Cowboys to make Elliott a post-June 1 cut, they could save $10.9MM on that date. But a window to a fifth Elliott-Pollard season remains open.

Minor NFL Transactions: 2/14/23

February 14th, 2023 at 7:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Cleveland Browns

New York Giants

A UDFA who caught on with the Panthers in 2019, Kunaszyk played 15 Browns games last season. The team, which ran into multiple season-ending injuries at linebacker, used Kunaszyk as a two-game starter. The 26-year-old defender was a core special-teamer in Cleveland, seeing action on 79% of the Browns’ special teams plays in 2022. He finished the season on IR due to a hand injury.

Shane Steichen To Call Colts’ Plays, Does Not Commit To Retaining Gus Bradley

February 14th, 2023 at 6:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Sirianni handed play-calling duties to Shane Steichen midway through the 2021 season. Brian Daboll just won Coach of the Year honors after he named Mike Kafka as the Giants’ offensive play-caller. The Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy hire did not change Kellen Moore‘s status as the team’s play-caller for the past three seasons.

Steichen will, however, take the more traditional approach for offense-oriented head coaches in Indianapolis. The new Colts HC confirmed Tuesday he will call plays. The Colts will look for a non-play-calling OC in the coming days and, perhaps, weeks. But they will entrust their 37-year-old HC to right the ship offensively.

The Colts’ latest HC contract reflects their confidence in Steichen. The deal is for six years, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). This matches the Texans’ DeMeco Ryans pact. Indianapolis is not in the same boat as its AFC South rival, having finished over .500 in three of Frank Reich‘s four full seasons. But the Colts went through a rather turbulent year. A six-year offer — longer than Reich’s initial pact — makes for a more attractive sales pitch in the wake of that.

Gus Bradley attended Steichen’s Tuesday press conference, and Stephen Holder of ESPN.com tweets Indy’s defensive staff was at the presser en masse. Late in the lengthy search process, Bradley became a candidate to stay in Indy. Several candidates were believed to be high on Bradley, leading the Colts to block him from interviewing for another DC position. The Panthers were interested in Bradley, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. That would have reunited him with Reich, but with Bradley blocked, Carolina brought in popular HC candidate Ejiro Evero.

The Colts not only blocked Bradley, but Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star notes the team prevented linebackers coach Richard Smith and defensive backs coach Ron Milus from exploring lateral moves. Of the Indy candidates, a connecting Bradley to Steichen was easiest. The two worked together with the Chargers for four years, finishing up that run as an OC-DC tandem. Milus and Smith worked with Bradley in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Steichen stopped short of committing to Bradley and his defensive staff, however, leaving his staff in limbo still.

“That’s the next process that I’m going to go through, is hiring a staff,” Steichen said of keeping Reich holdovers. “Those guys, we’ll have those conversations in the next few days.”

Indianapolis conducted a thorough search, debating on third interviews with candidates. Although the franchise decided against that unexplored avenue, Steichen landed the job more than three months after the team fired Reich. Jim Irsay used Philip Rivers as a Steichen sounding board, Holder adds (on Twitter), with the longtime Charger QB and 2020 Colts passer calling the young coach “savant-like.” Rivers worked with Steichen for six seasons, the final four as his position coach.

The Eagles finished third in both points and yards on offense this season, after ranking outside the top 10 in each category in 2022. Steichen will head to Indiana after Jalen Hurts accounted for nearly 400 yards in Philadelphia’s narrow Super Bowl LVII loss.

For a while, it appeared Jeff Saturday was in play to stay on in this role. Irsay stunned the football world and angered many around the league by naming the former Pro Bowl center-turned-ESPNer as his interim HC. Despite going 1-7 during his first NFL or college coaching gig, Saturday interviewed twice for the full-time job. Saturday wished Steichen well and thanks Colts fans, including those that signed a petition for Irsay not to give him the full-time gig.

“I’m so grateful for the last eight weeks of the season and the opportunity to represent you guys,” Saturday said (video link). “I appreciate the coaches for all your time, energy and effort. … It was an absolute blessing. I look fondly upon it. Wish we would’ve done better. But ultimately, that is where it is.

“… So, for everybody out there — including however many thousand who signed a petition, which may have included my wife and son, not exactly sure. But in all honesty, I’m so grateful for Colts nation and who you are. To represent the horseshoe, it meant the world to me.”

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