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Report: Colts Request to Interview Chiefs Chris Ballard for General Manager Job

By Luke Schultheis

Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of a Indianapolis Colts helmet during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of a Indianapolis Colts helmet during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero, the Indianapolis Colts have also requested to interview Kansas City Chiefs Director of Football Operations Chris Ballard:

Ballard has held his current position with the Chiefs since May 2015, having previously served as Kansas City’s Director of Player Personnel from 2013-2015–arriving along with general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid in 2013.

Prior to joining the Chiefs, Ballard served as the Chicago Bears Director of Pro Scouting in 2012 and even earlier, was their Southwest Area Scout (2001-2011).

During his Chicago tenure, Ballard helped the Bears select the likes of Pro Bowl caliber players such as running back Matt Forte, wide receiver Johnny Knox, cornerback Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman, defensive tackle Tommie Harris, and cornerback Nathan Vasher (via NFL.com).

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) warms up for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) warms up for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Per the Kansas City Star’s Terez A. Paylor, he’s also been credited recently with playing a pivotal role in the Chiefs selection of Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters:

"“With the Chiefs, Ballard played a role in the selection of cornerback Marcus Peters in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft,” wrote Paylor. “Peters was dismissed from the University of Washington during his junior season after repeated clashes with the new coaching staff and was considered a draft risk by many. The Chiefs sent Ballard to Oakland to spend a little time with Peters prior to the draft.”"

Since Ballard joined the Chiefs in 2013, Kansas City has found draft success with tight end Travis Kelce, outside linebacker Dee Ford, and defensive end Chris Jones among others–along with Peters.

Next: Report: Colts Request to Interview Packers Eliot Wolf

Ballard potentially joins a Colts general manager candidate list that already includes the Minnesota Vikings George Paton, the Seattle Seahawks Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer, the Green Bay Packers Eliot Wolf, and the franchise’s very own Jimmy Raye III–with maybe more to come.

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