The Indianapolis Colts’ hiring of Jeff Saturday as interim head coach came as a surprise to just about everyone. Of course, that excludes owner Jim Irsay, who once offered Saturday a front office job a decade ago.
After Saturday’s tenure with the Colts ended following the 2011 season, he joined the Green Bay Packers for the final campaign of his career. But before that happened, Irsay offered Saturday a role in the Colts’ front office.
In an article from 10 years ago by NFL Network’s Marc Sessler, Saturday was quoted that Irsay offered him a job in the front office and that it was an opportunity he strongly considered.
Here’s what Saturday said at the time to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (h/t @VeveJones007):
“I know Jim has made it very clear that the opportunity would be there,” Saturday said. “I’ll look at it. I strongly considered it this time. He made it an option before I even came back and played football.”
Saturday went on to become an analyst for ESPN in 2013 immediately after his playing career ended. He’s been one of their top NFL analysts for roughly a decade.
Sessler’s final paragraph of that article 10 years ago might just give Colts fans some hope for the future even if there’s a good chance this entire situation flops. Here’s what Sessler said:
“This one feels imminent, and we already know Saturday’s a wise one based on the work he did during the lockout. He spent 13 seasons with Peyton Manning and currently snaps the ball to Aaron Rodgers, so we’d also trust his ability to scout and zero in on a quality quarterback.”
Even as much of a shock as it is that Saturday will be the interim head coach of the Colts moving forward in 2022, it appears this is a development that’s had legs before.
This doesn’t really have an impact on what the Colts are going through right now, but it’s a neat find that offers a bit of backstory to the entire situation.
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