Detroit Lions covets Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert for his job at GM, league sources said, but the chances of him leaving Pittsburgh are slim. Colbert’s business is expiring, but an extension is a mere formality at this point.
Colbert was a Lions executive in 1990 before moving on to what would become a Hall of Fame-worthy post with the Steelers. He is highly respected by the Ford family, as well as longtime Lions linebacker Chris Spielman, who was recently hired by the team in a front office role and to assist in this coaching search. In addition, a large contingent of Lions alumni are supporters of Colbert’s and believe it is in a unique position to put the longtime franchise back on track, but that effort will be in vain.
The initial wave of interviews with the Lions GM focused on individuals with extensive NFL experience, and former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, who worked with Colbert in Detroit, is seen by many in the league as very well positioned for that place the way things are. Lions will begin interviewing non-GMs who are currently under contract with the NFL this week, a group that league sources said will likely include Rams Scouting Director Brad Holmes and Colts Assistant GM Ed Dodds and assistant general manager of the Vikings, George Paton, among others.
Lions will also begin to focus more on opening up main coaching, with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh among the top names on their wish list.
Colbert has been operating on a series of one-year contracts with Steelers for his own project that will continue into 2021, the sources said. While the Steelers face some critical questions about Ben Roethlisberger’s future, and his potential problems with capitalization, and with Bud Dupree among his great free agents, it would be beyond shocking if Colbert didn’t even consider anything other than returning to Pittsburgh, where he and trainer Mike Tomlin shares a tremendous working relationship with the Rooney family, who want Colbert to oversee the list for as long as he wants.
Colbert was candid about his eventual retirement, which is largely why he goes year after year, but sources say he is not ready to leave the game yet, as the Steelers have won another AFC North title.