NFL Insider John Clayton Says Steelers GM Kevin Colbert Undecided On Retirement
Just two weeks ago, it was reported that the Steelers would be searching for a new general manager after this year’s draft. With Kevin Colbert working from contract to contract on one-year deals, it was no surprise to see he could retire.
However, John Clayton, who was a guest on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday afternoon, stated that the report is erroneous. Citing sources, Clayton believes that Colbert is still undecided and there is nothing certain as it pertains to his assumed retirement after the 2022 NFL Draft. That comes despite Colbert himself saying that Colbert was likely to retire on the same station weeks previously.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Colbert’s status in his end-of-season press conference last Tuesday, and did not confirm the reporting that Colbert would retire, but certainly did not deny it, either.
“He and I have had discussions about it, but I’ll leave it to Kevin to address any issues regarding him and his future,” Tomlin said. He also added that he would be open-minded about working with another individual in that position going forward.
Despite that, there could be some validity to Colbert having not yet made up his mind, though in the fact that pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt and vice president Omar Khan continue to interview for general manager openings. However, it makes just as much sense for Colbert to step away now. With Keith Butler’s retirement and Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement impending as well, one last draft to send Colbert off into the sunset makes sense.
Whether he is undecided or not, as it stands, Colbert retiring would be no surprise. Should he retire, the aforementioned Hunt and Khan would likely be the top two internal candidates.
Colbert was an external hire and not a promotion from within when he was brought in following the departure of Tom Donahoe after the 1999 season. But that hire was run by the late Dan Rooney. Art Rooney II has been team president since 2003, with Colbert serving as GM that entire time.
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