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Peyton Manning gives a strong endorsement to one of the Colts coaching candidates

By Jaleel Grandberry

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Former Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning looks on during the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor ceremony for Tarik Glenn during halftime of a game against the Washington Commanders at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Former Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning looks on during the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor ceremony for Tarik Glenn during halftime of a game against the Washington Commanders at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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While the Indianapolis Colts are still searching for their next head coach, Peyton Manning is reportedly advocating for one of the candidates.

The Indianapolis Colts are currently in the process of finding their next head coach. After initially interviewing 14 candidates, the Colts narrowed their list to seven names for second interviews. The seven names are Jeff Saturday, Ejiro Evero, Raheem Morris, Wink Martindale, Shane Steichen, Rich Bisaccia, and Brian Callahan. Eric Bieniemy is also expected to get a second interview. One candidate, though, appears to have an advantage over the rest of the field: the support of the best player in franchise history, Peyton Manning.

According to a recent report by NFL reporter Albert Breer, Peyton Manning is advocating for Brian Callahan. Callahan is the current offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals but also has a history of working with Manning. Callahan got his coaching start with the Denver Broncos in 2010. His last year in Denver wasn’t until 2015, so that means he spent all four of Manning’s years with the Broncos as part of the offensive staff. Callahan got to work closely with Manning, learning from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and apparently also leaving an impression on Peyton.

Peyton Manning advocating for Brian Callahan to Colts

Callahan got his start with the Broncos and Manning but it’s his post-Denver work that has him as a candidate for multiple head coaching jobs right now. After leaving the Broncos, Callahan spent two years with the Detroit Lions as a quarterbacks coach and then one season with the Raiders as a quarterbacks coach. After that, Callahan joined Zac Taylor’s staff with the Cincinnati Bengals as offensive coordinator in 2019.

A season after their arrival in Cincinnati, the Bengals drafted Joe Burrow. In the three years since, Burrow has developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the league and Cincinnati has one of the best offenses in all of the NFL. A lot of that is credited to Brian Callahan as offensive coordinator. Many teams are ready to see if he can step out and lead his own team and hopefully create another productive offense.

That’s certainly what the Colts need. After having one of the NFL’s worst offenses in 2022, Indianapolis needs someone to fix things offensively. Additionally, the Colts are expected to select a top quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. Callahan already has a reputation for his work with quarterbacks, especially developing young quarterbacks. For those reasons, Brian Callahan makes a lot of sense for the Colts. It doesn’t hurt that he has Peyton Manning on his side either.

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