Ed

Dodds

With the Colts sitting on a 2-4 record and the trade deadline 22 days away, Dodds could be involved in some key roster decisions over the next three weeks. Dodds was hired as the Colts’ vice president of player personnel in 2017 and has been a candidate for several GM openings over the last few offseasons. Depending on how things go the rest of the way, it’s possible Dodds earns a chance to be promoted to the Colts GM position next offseason after the team fired Chris Ballard earlier in the day.

Dodds is one of five names (so far) the Titans have been linked to via second interview, including Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, Bucs assistant GM John Spytek, Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, and Bills executive Terrance Gray. Where is Ruston Webster when you need him? Dodds has been interviewed several times over the past few years, including multiple interviews with the Raiders last year and single interviews with the Panthers and Chargers. Dodds has been the Colts assistant GM to Chris Ballard since 2018 and has also worked for the Seahawks and Raiders as he climbed the ranks.

The Titans, fresh off firing former GM Ran Carthon after two years at the helm, will talk with Dodds, who has been discussed as a potential replacement for Colts GM Chris Ballard. Dodds — who is reportedly close with Colts owner Jim Irsay — would appear to be more likely to stay in Indy before bailing to an undesirable job in the Titans front office.

According to Reed, the Raiders held second interviews with interim GM Champ Kelly, former Chargers GM Tom Telesco, and Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds. Reed also adds that owner Mark Davis “expressed hesitation” about hiring a rookie GM and head coach, which could tilt the job in Telesco’s favor. Telesco last served as the Chargers’ GM from 2013 through 2023 and was fired last December when the team also opted to cut ties with coach Brandon Staley.

Dodds has been with the Colts since 2018 and has a busy schedule of general manager interviews for this hiring cycle. Schefter reports that Dodds has interviewed with the Raiders and plans to meet with the Panthers and Chargers as well. The three teams are looking to fill their general manager vacancies with different appeals to all three jobs. Dodds is in demand as a potential new general manager this offseason.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on Peters, who has also been targeted by the Commanders as a potential GM candidate. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news on Dodds, who has been with the Colts since 2018. The Colts have appeared in the playoffs only twice since Dodds was hired, but he makes for a tough evaluation given owner Jim Irsay’s involvement in roster decisions and Irsay’s relationship with GM Chris Ballard. The Raiders have several decisions to make in the coming days, as they’ll also be deciding whether to promote interim head coach Antonio Pierce to head coach or hire another candidate from outside. Dodds and Peters are only two candidates in a GM search that is expected to include a few more candidates before a decision is made.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert will retire after the 2022 NFL Draft, though reportedly may stay on in some role after the season as support. This is the first we’ve heard of real candidates to replace him. Dodds was a hot name in each of the last two offseasons and withdrew his name from consideration for the Bears job in January.

Dodds is also in the mix for the Raiders’ GM gig, so perhaps he’s more interested in that one or likes where he is with the Colts. He’s already passed up multiple jobs in the last couple years to stay with Indianapolis. Other executives known to interview for the Bears’ GM job are Glenn Cook, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Jeff Ireland, Monti Ossenfort, Joe Schoen, and Eliot Wolf.

The Raiders currently have Mike Mayock as their GM but this points to the end of his tenure in Las Vegas. After a tumultuous season off the field, the Raiders may be cleaning house this offseason. Head coach Jon Gruden resigned earlier this year. Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia led Vegas to the playoffs and the team is conducting head coaching interviews anyway. Mayock might be the next to go. Ziegler was a candidate to land the GM gig in Denver last year but chose to stay in New England instead. He took over as director of player personnel for Nick Caserio after the latter left for Houston. The Raiders also put in a request in interview Colts executive Ed Dodds.

The Bears are also interested in Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus for their head coaching vacancy. Dodd was a favorite to land the Browns’ general manager position in 2020, but stayed with the Colts because he had “unfinished business.” He’ll have a strong chance to being the Bears’ next GM if he wants the gig.