Eagles’ Steichen in the lead for Colts head job
Raiders to release Carr, Campbell returning
PHOENIX (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is the leading candidate to be the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, a person familiar with the team’s decision told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because Steichen is coaching the Eagles in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs and a deal hasn’t been completed.
Steichen, who was one of three finalists for AP Assistant Coach of the Year, would become the second Eagles offensive coordinator hired by the Colts as their head coach. Frank Reich, who was fired by the Colts earlier this season, was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator before becoming Indianapolis’ head coach in 2018.
The Colts have been impressed by Steichen’s ability to help develop Jalen Hurts, who was a finalist for the AP NFL MVP and AP Offensive Player of the Year awards.
The Colts fired Reich in early November after a third straight loss and replaced him with Jeff Saturday on an interim basis. After winning his first game, Saturday and the Colts lost their last seven to finish 4-12-1.
Saturday, a former two-time All-Pro center who snapped the ball to Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for 12 seasons with the Colts, had been working as an ESPN analyst when the Colts brought him in to replace Reich.
Saturday was a candidate for Indianapolis’ permanent position. He was among those who got a second interview. Reich was hired last month as head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
NO TRADE FOR CARR: Derek Carr has informed the Raiders he will not accept a trade to any team, including the Saints, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
As a result, the Raiders are expected to release Carr ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, at which a $40.5 million roster bonus becomes guaranteed.
The Saints were the only team to express interest in a trade for Carr, but they wanted him to renegotiate his contract to a lower number, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Upon being released, Carr will become a free agent able to negotiate a new deal with the team of his choosing.
The Raiders signed Carr to a three-year contract extension last offseason, but it was essentially a one-year evaluation deal in which new coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler could get a handle on whether Carr would be their long-term quarterback.
Now the Raiders will exercise the out-clause they insisted upon that allows them to walk away from Carr ahead of the extension going into effect in 2023.
CAMPBELL CONFIRMS RETURN: Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell says he’s returning for a 16th NFL season.
The 36-year-old Campbell confirmed those intentions on NFL Network on Sunday, saying “I’m coming back, baby.”
Campbell played the past three seasons for the Ravens, and he signed a two-year deal with them before last season. He had 5½ sacks — his most since 2019 — in 14 games in 2022.
Campbell has a chance to achieve a major milestone, entering the 2023 season with 99 sacks. The six-time Pro Bowler has played 227 games with Arizona, Jacksonville and Baltimore.