Colts Rumors: Jeff Saturday Not Believed to Be Front-Runner for HC Position

The Indianapolis Colts are one of two teams remaining with an opening at head coach, but the top in-house candidate reportedly doesn't have a good chance at landing the position.

According to The Athletic's Zak Keefer, interim head coach Jeff Saturday is not considered to be among the top options for the job.

"Furthermore, based on recent conversations I've had with those familiar with the search, I don't get the sense that Saturday remains a front-runner for the job, despite what some national reports have indicated," Keefer wrote. "We know, with this franchise, that anything is possible—and owner Jim Irsay will make the final call—but at this point, a Saturday hire seems less likely."

Saturday was hired by the Colts in November to replace Frank Reich after he was fired following a 3-5-1 start to the season. His hiring shocked the masses, as he had never coached beyond the high school level and was working as an analyst for ESPN prior to taking over in Indianapolis.

Things started off well when Saturday won his head coaching debut 25-20 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Unfortunately, that was the last bit of success the Colts had under the 47-year-old, as they went on to lose each of their final seven games to end the season with a 4-12-1 record.

The team was outscored by 92 points over that abysmal stretch, which included a shocking loss to the Minnesota Vikings after Indianapolis blew a 33-0 lead to allow the largest comeback in NFL history.

As a player, Saturday spent most of his career with the Colts and was a six-time Pro Bowl center. He also earned All-Pro honors four times and was a part of Indianapolis' Super Bowl XLI victory.

Besides Saturday, Keefer noted that the Colts' list of head coaching candidates includes Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.

It will be imperative for Indianapolis to make the right decision this offseason to avoid another disastrous campaign in 2023.