Eagles lose Ryan Grigson to Colts

The Eagles lost one of their top talent evaluators Tuesday when Ryan Grigson was hired as general manager of the Indianapolis Colts.

Grigson, 39, is an Indiana native whose primary job with the Eagles involved scouting college prospects for the NFL draft. He spent nine seasons with the team, starting as their Western regional scout and eventually being named director of player personnel in 2010. He was also involved in scouting free agents, evaluating trades and deciding on the team's roster.

"He's somebody that I relied a lot on as an evaluator," said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. "Really someone who had a hand in every aspect of our football operation for a long time."

"I couldn't be more excited to be back home," Grigson told reporters in Indianapolis, according to the Indianapolis Star. "My goal is to bring this team back to where it was and build on it and do great things."

Grigson's first big decision in Indianapolis will likely center on the Colts' coaching staff, starting with head coach Jim Caldwell. If the new GM decides to make a coaching change, it's possible he could look toward the Eagles staff for some familiar names, though Colts owner Jim Irsay will probably also have a significant say in that decision.

Irsay said a decision on the coaching staff probably won't arrive until next week, according to the Star.

The coaching choice will be one of several huge decisions for Grigson this offseason.

The Colts, who finished an NFL-worst 2-14, have the first pick in April's draft, putting them in prime position to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, widely considered the best prospect coming out of college. But that means making a decision on franchise quarterback Peyton Manning, who missed the season after having neck surgery and is soon due a $28 million bonus if the Colts keep him.

Keeping or trading Manning could be a franchise-altering decision.

The Eagles did not immediately announce a replacement for Grigson.

"When you have someone who's talented like Ryan you have to prepare for this and know that this day is going to come," Roseman said. "We always have secondary plans, we have a lot of good people on our staff . . . we'll address that as it comes."

Some in-house possibilities include Louis Riddick, the team's director of pro personnel, and Phil Savage, a former Browns general manager who is now the Eagles' player personnel executive.

Grigson was born in Highland, Ind., and played tight end and offensive tackle at Purdue. He was a Bengals sixth-round pick in 1995.

"It's a tremendous opportunity and a once in a lifetime blessing [to return to Indiana]," Grigson said in a statement released by the Colts. "I was born in this state, raised in this state, went to college in this state and met my wife in this state. I spent most of my life in this state and learned to play football in this state. That says a lot about how near and dear Indiana is to me on all levels."