Sources: Colts' Irsay leaning toward Saturday for head coaching role

Jeff Saturday remains Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's top choice to be the team's next head coach, sources tell Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.

Saturday served as Indy's interim head coach in 2022. He informed the franchise of his potential coaching staff picks during his second interview Wednesday, Schultz adds.

General manager Chris Ballard has been leading the team's coaching search. He'll give his input to Irsay before the owner makes the final call. Jim's daughter, Charlie, has also been sitting in on coaching meetings.

Aside from Saturday, six or seven other candidates are expected to also receive a second interview for the full-time coaching role, according to The Associated Press' Rob Maaddi. Those candidates include defensive coordinators Dan Quinn and Raheem Morris.

Additionally, the Colts were still interested in speaking with 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as of Tuesday, per Maaddi. Ryans postponed his initial interview to prepare for San Francisco's divisional-round matchup.

However, the window for first interviews is currently closed, meaning the Colts would have to wait until after the 49ers' season is over to speak with Ryans, Maaddi notes.

Indianapolis hired Saturday, who had no collegiate or professional coaching experience, after firing Frank Reich following a 3-5-1 start to the 2022 season. The former ESPN analyst led the Colts to a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in his first game at the helm. However, the club dropped its remaining seven contests.

Saturday was a two-time All-Pro center for the Colts over the course of 13 seasons.