With Ryan Grigson being relieved of his duties, one replacement option for the Indianapolis Colts could be to promote current Vice President of Football Operations Jimmy Raye III to the team’s vacant general manager position:
If the #Colts go in-house, they have a strong candidate in Jimmy Raye III. Interviewed for #49ers job. Pagano & his coaches swear by him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2017
The 48 year old Colts executive has spent the past four seasons in his current position with the Colts and recently interviewed for the San Francisco 49ers open general manager position.
While Raye was eventually eliminated from the 49ers interview process, he’s reportedly highly regarded in league circles for his ability as a football operations executive:
Surprised Colts Jimmy Raye didn't get a better shot at SF GM gig. Impressive background and he's highly regarded around the league.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 21, 2017
Me too... Vastly underrated evaluator and team builder. Raye played a key role in building strong rosters in SD. He's ready for a bigger gig https://t.co/tv5BxQWrKV
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) January 21, 2017
Raye formerly served as a San Diego Chargers Scout (1996-99), Director of College Scouting (2000-07), and later their Director of Player Personnel (2008-12) before joining the Colts as their Vice President of Football Operations in 2013.
Nevertheless, one question would be just how much input Raye had on failed football decisions such as the drafting of Bjoern Werner (2013), the Trent Richardson trade (2014), etc.–or whether that was more ultimately Grigson’s call.
Still, the fact that Raye remains highly regarded shows that he could be a strong candidate to become the Colts next general manager.
Next: Pat McAfee Holds Nothing Back on Ryan Grigson’s Firing
Raye was in San Diego when the likes of future Hall of Fame caliber players such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers were selected, while another potential Canton-bound player, Antonio Gates, was discovered. Not to mention, he was there when other star players such as Shawne Merriman and Darrel Sproles were uncovered among others–when the Chargers were consistently among the best teams in the AFC.
If nothing else, it would be surprising if Raye’s not at least interviewed for the Colts vacant general manager position among other potential candidates.
Update (6:56 PM EST):
Team owner Jim Irsay stated in his Saturday press conference announcing the termination of former general manager Ryan Grigson that Vice President of Football Operations Jimmy Raye III will indeed be interviewed soon for the Colts current general manager opening and serve as the interim general manager in the mean time:
"“Jimmy Raye is going to be working with head coach Chuck Pagano (for Senior Bowl scouting and prospect evaluation next week),” said Irsay. “Jimmy will interview for the general manager job. We will have an extensive process to interview for general managers.”“Jimmy and I talked this afternoon about the timing that these guys (the Colts scouting department and coaching staff) are leaving for the Senior Bowl Monday afternoon and some issues we have with the team,” added Irsay. “Again, I think that we’re going to–along with Jimmy have an excellent pool (of general manager candidates) to look at and interview–and we have a lot to offer.”"
Meanwhile, former legendary franchise quarterback Peyton Manning will in fact not be ‘in the picture‘ for the Colts general manager position–meaning Raye is the only ‘in house’ candidate to note for Indianapolis.