Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is reportedly nearing a deal to become the general manager of the Detroit Lions, according to Mike Stone of 97.1-FM The Ticket in Detroit.
While nothing is official or a done deal, Stone’s understanding is that an offer has been extended and Colbert is close to accepting it.
“I just got off the phone with a trusted source who has told me that the Lions have made an offer to Kevin Colbert, and it’s pretty close to happening,” Stone said Wednesday morning on the Stoney & Jansen Show. “I’m not going to say it’s done or anything like that. Someone I know pretty well, somewhat connected, said that they’ve offered the job to Kevin Colbert, and unless the Rooney’s come up with some kind of crazy counteroffer he might be coming back.”
Detroit’s interest in Colbert was first reported by CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora last week, who wrote that the Lions organization and Ford family hold the long-time executive in high regard and have been infatuated with the idea of plucking him form Pittsburgh for quite some time.
Colbert, 64, has ties to the Lions, serving as their pro scouting director for a decade before first arriving in Pittsburgh in 2000.
Colbert just completed his 21st season with Pittsburgh, and was adamant last February that he has no intentions of working for another organization once his Steelers tenure is complete.
The general manager has been transparent about hanging it up in the past, signing one-year extensions the last couple seasons with the Steelers as they have continued to capitalize on their Super Bowl window.
The Steelers organization has achieved tremendous success under Colbert’s leadership, winning two Super Bowls, three AFC Championships and ten division titles.
On the heels of a first round playoff exit and a number of key players likely on the cusp of retirement, it certainly seems like the perfect opportunity for Colbert to take on a new challenge elsewhere. That is if he is not eyeing retirement himself.