(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports started the rumor of the Detroit Lions going strongly after Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert for their vacant GM position. Colbert was the director of pro scouting for the Lions from 1990-99, so he does have a history in Detroit.
The rumor picked up steam this morning when Mike Stone of 97.1 The Ticket said the Lions had made an offer to Colbert -- and Colbert is "close" to accepting. Stone said it's now on Steelers' ownership to make a counteroffer to prevent Colbert from leaving.
“I just got off the phone with a trusted source who has told me that the Lions have made an offer to Kevin Colbert, and it’s pretty close to happening,” Stone said Wednesday morning on the Stoney & Jansen Show. “I’m not going to say it’s done or anything like that. Someone I know pretty well, somewhat connected, said that they’ve offered the job to Kevin Colbert, and unless the Rooney's come up with some kind of crazy counteroffer he might be coming back."
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers have not received a request for permission from the Lions to speak to Colbert. They cannot talk to Colbert without the Steelers' consent. Colbert is under contract with the Steelers through the 2021 NFL Draft and has been by request on a year-to-year deal with the organization since 2019.
Tomlin was asked about the Colbert rumor during his season-ending press conference today, and he said he knows next to nothing about the Colbert rumor.
"I've worked with Kevin for 14 years. We have a great working relationship," Tomlin said. "We communicate each and every day multiple times a day. We've communicated today. I look forward to beginning this process with him. I know next to nothing about the rumors that you mentioned."
Stone later confirmed on Twitter that his source was wrong that Colbert was made an offer and was close to signing with the Lions as their GM.
Comments