In recent weeks, former Bills, Panthers, and Colts G.M. Bill Polian has been linked in various rumors and speculation to the G.M. position in Kansas City, if/when it becomes open.
Of course, it’s not yet open. It possibly will be, if owner Clark Hunt decides to move on from Scott Pioli.
A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that, if Hunt hires a new G.M., it won’t be Polian.
Of course, the job may not be as beneficial to Polian as the rumors that he could get it. Polian’s reputation as a high strung, fiery executive precedes him in NFL circles. If a perception arises (whether he engineers it or otherwise) that Polian is in demand, notorious anecdotes of eruptions in the press box or elsewhere could be overlooked, especially by an owner like Shahid Khan, who is still relatively new to the industry.
That said, Polian’s name has yet to arise in connection with the opening in Jacksonville. Apart from the lingering rumors linking him to Kansas City, Polian’s name has arisen only in connection with the Jets. In a USA Today report carefully attributed to a unnamed person “briefed on the talks between Polian and the organization” (which, in all fairness, is a fancy synonym for “hearsay”) the Jets reached out to Polian -- and Polian rejected their overtures.
Polian refused to confirm or deny the report, a response he may have used to not-so-subtly create the impression of confirmation. “People call almost every day. Coaches. Players. Executives,” Polian told USA Today. “There’s lots of conversations. I’m not going to characterize any conversations with anybody.”
And that comment not-so-subtly creates the impression that Polian is still in the game, a year after being fired by the Colts. Which creates the impression that he’s in demand. Which could be aimed at getting Khan to give Polian a call.
Until then, Polian has opted to remain coy. Or perhaps subtle. Or maybe not-so-subtle.
“As I’ve told everybody who has asked over the course of the season, that the answer is, ‘Could I do it? Yeah.’ Would I? That depends entirely on the family and other considerations,” Polian told USA Today. “So right now, it doesn’t look like there is anything in the offing. And I’m fine with that. I’m very happy with what I’m doing now.”
Polian is actually very good on television in his position with ESPN, and at SiriusXM radio. And he could be very good in a fourth stint at running an NFL team. For now, though, it appears that his options will be limited, regardless of whether he actually had an option in New York.