Source: The Steelers have not received a request for permission from the Detroit Lions to speak to GM Kevin Colbert. They cannot talk to Colbert without the Steelers' consent.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 13, 2021
The rumor mill has been churning about Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert leaving Pittsburgh for Detroit. A report from CBS’ Jason LaConfora on Sunday indicated the Detroit Lions were getting their “ducks in a row” to make Colbert a significant offer. On Wednesday, Detroit 97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Stone reported a trusted source said that it’s all but a done deal (which has since been retracted).
Fortunately for the Steelers, rumors are all it is. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Steelers have not received a request from the Lions for permission to speak with Colbert.
Colbert’s current contract runs through the end of the 2021 NFL draft. If the Lions did reach out to Colbert without prior permission from Pittsburgh, that would be the very definition of tampering.
Colbert’s status beyond May is just one of a million unanswered questions the Steelers will have to contend with this offseason.
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