Former Colts GM Chris Polian Serious Candidate to Become New Eagles Exec

According to Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly, former General Manager of the Indianapolis Colts Chris Polian is a “serious candidate” to take a similar role with the Philadelphia Eagles starting this offseason:

The Eagles recently did some front office shuffling, as head coach Chip Kelly will now also oversee the player personnel department and former GM Howie Roseman has been “promoted” to Executive V.P. of Football Operations to help oversee the team’s salary cap situation. With those moves, there’s currently a spot available to become their new general manager.

Bill Polian (left) and Chris Polian watched the Dec. 22 game against Houston. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Perhaps most known for being the son of longtime NFL General Manager Bill Polian, Chris served as GM of the Colts from 2009-11. After the team struggled to a 2-14 record in 2011, Polian was fired along with his father, who was then serving as the Colts active Team President.

While the elder Polian was highly regarded for the majority of his tenure with the Colts, his last few seasons as an executive with the Colts were marred by bad draft picks and consequently, a lack of an infusion of young talent and depth.

Fair or unfair, part of this blame was readily attributed to Chris Polian, who had assumed a larger player personnel role and was said to be a “toxic force who has brought this franchise [Colts] to its knees for reasons other than Peyton Manning’s injury,” according to Bob Kravitz in November of 2011, then of the Indianapolis Star. Kravitz went on to denounce the younger Polian, citing sources he had heard from Colts’ headquarters:

"“Since he started moving up the organizational ladder in the early 2000s for no apparent reason other than being a Polian,” Kravitz writes, “He has been instrumental in hastening the exits of scouts and assistant coaches who led the Colts to previous greatness.”"

Where there’s smoke, there’s generally some fire. However, it’s worth noting that Chris Polian has served as the Jacksonville Jaguars Director of Pro Personnel for the past two seasons, and it’s possible that he could’ve matured considerably since his time as Colts General Manager if those allegations were in fact true. Perhaps, his dismissal from the Colts organization has served as a bit of a wake-up call from his previous management style.

However, for the Eagles it may be a case of “buyer’s remorse”, if his time as Colts General Manager was any clear indication. It’s an interesting argument brought by some NFL observers of whether Chris Polian has been elevated to the highest level of league executive ranks because of merit or his birthright.

Apr 26, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman offensive tackle Lane Johnson with (Oklahoma) the fourth overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft and head coach Chip Kelly pose for a photo during a press conference at the NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports