Colbert content to let things play out for now
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Saturday morning that his decision to wait until after the season to discuss a newcontract with the team is due tofamily considerations.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Friday that Steelers president Art Rooney II will not extend Colbert’s contract before the regular season begins. That contract runs through the 2020 NFLdraft.
Colbert indicated he and Rooney would determine his future after the season ended and not after the draft. Colbert, who will turn 63 in January, has been with the Steelers since 2000. Colbert’s children are grown and out of the house. His son, Danny, is a scout with the Steelers.
“I’m 62,” Colbert said. “From a personal standpoint, that’s where me, my wife and our family are. That’s all there is to it. I still love what I do. As long as I still love what I do, I can see myself continuing to do it. But we just want to do it year-to-year.
“That was a personal request on my part. I’m very grateful that Art is accommodating to that. That’s just where myself and my family are in our lives. We want to make those decisions on a year-to-year basis from this point forward. It hasn’t changed anything we’re doing from a preparation standpoint. My schedule this year is as busy as it was in any previous year with my college work, games, all that. Nothing haschanged along those lines.
“When we’re in meetings with scouts I’m talking about things we have to do different next year in our meetings. The mindset is about 2019 and 2019 is the priority, but I’m not thinking about this is my last year. What I am thinking about is we’ll make that decision at some point when it’s agreeable. But right now we’re going to focus on 2019. It’s really as simple as that. There is nothingmore to it than that.”
Colbert also said there is no successionplan with anyone who iscurrently a member of the front office. Several people in the organization would be considered candidates to replace Colbert when his tenure ends. Omar Khan is vice president of football operationsand business administration.He handles all player contract negotiations. Samir Suleiman is football administration coordinator. He assists with player contract and manages the salary cap with Khan, and he also helps with scouting and team logistics.
If the Steelers wanted to hire someone with more experience in scouting and player personnel the top in-house candidates would be Brandon Hunt, the pro scouting coordinator and Phil Kreidler, the college scouting coordinator.
Colbert, however, made it clear that no one is being groomedfor the job this season.
“No because we haven’t thought about not being here, other than we’d like to make that decision at the appropriate time,” Colbert said of a succession plan. “So no it’s not like we have any plans. Our meetings are exactly the same as it’s always been. My scheduling is as involved as alwayshas been.
“Whatever happens I’ll never leave the organization unprepared is the best way to say it. We’re going through the draft no matter what. We’re doing everything as if things are going to continue.”
Colbert won his first Super Bowl in his sixth season at the helm in 2005 and again in 2008. His goal before leaving the Steelersis winning another one.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to win it twice,” he said. “I would really want to win it for the guys who haven’t. It’s great when you’re a part of it yourself. To get it for someone else is really what’smost important.
“When we lost to Green Bay the person I felt the worst for was Flozell Adams because I knew it washis last shot. That hurt.”
Colbertdidn’t sound like someone who would be content to ride off into the sunset if the Steelers did win the Super Bowl this season.
“When you win you want to winagain, so I can’t answer that,” he said. “Depending upon what happensbetween now and February that could influence things. Sure that could influence it. It could be one way or another. I do know when you win you want to winit again.”
Colbert also said he was not involved in the negotiations with Mike Tomlin on his contract. Rooney handled those negotiations. He didn’t believe much should be read into the fact that Tomlin signed a one-year extension instead of the standard two thathe had previously signed.
“Coach is 125-66-1,” Colbert said. “He’s 1-1 in Super Bowls and has never had a losing season. Mike Tomlin is a great NFL head coach.
“Anyone who argues that is not paying attention to the facts. I’m very blessed to work with Coach Tomlin, the Rooneys. Having Mike be a part of that as we go forward, that’s a no-brainer. Mike is a great NFL coach, and he’sproven that.”