Steelers interview ESPN NFL personality for GM role, and fans are thrilled

The Pittsburgh Steelers are interviewing ESPN’s Louis Riddick for their vacant general manager job, and fans in general are thrilled.

Riddick has ties to the Pittsburgh area, as he’s a former Pitt Panther at heart.

However, Riddick’s career as a front office executive is what bring’s him to the Steel City this time around, with an eye on the Steelers general manager role. Kevin Colbert is retiring from the team after this season’s NFL Draft — traditionally the time period for scouting and development rollover.

Filling Colbert’s shoes will be a tough ask of any candidate, but Riddick has the charm and front office experience to get himself in the door. Now, let’s see if he can convince the Steelers brass he’s the right man for the job.

Louis Riddick experience: Has he been a GM before?

Riddick has never been a general manager before, but he does have plenty of front office experience after his playing days.

The former safety retired in 2001. After his playing career, he became a pro scout in Washington before being promoted to Director of Pro Personnel. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by the Eagles as a pro scout and ended up being promoted to Director of Pro Personnel in 2010.

Reddick joined ESPN as an analyst later on, and has been interviewed for vacant general manager jobs seemingly every offseason since 2020.

Should Steelers hire Louis Riddick?

Steelers fans were intrigued about the possibility of hiring Riddick, who has proven himself quite knowledgable in ESPN’s coverage of the NFL and the NFL Draft. It’s no surprise given him past.

https://twitter.com/HunterSleppy/status/1491056641239764995

The Steelers have a habit of promoting from within, so going against the grain for a role as important as general manager would be a bit of a surprise. But if Riddick impresses them enough to voyage into the unknown, he must be a pretty solid candidate.