Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta is viewed as the heir apparent to general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome, but it could be getting harder and harder for the team to retain him.
According to reports, the St. Louis Rams and the Indianapolis Colts have called the Ravens to ask for permission to interview DeCosta, who is considered one of the league's top up-and-coming GM candidates.
Pro Football Talk first reported the Rams' interest while NFL Network was first with the news that the Colts have inquired.
DeCosta's name has also been in the mix for the GM opening with the Chicago Bears who fired longtime GM Jerry Angelo yesterday morning. The Oakland Raiders also have a GM opening and reportedly have interest in DeCosta.
DeCosta, who has been with the Ravens from the beginning, starting at an entry-level position in 1996, and moving to director of college scouting before becoming the director of pro personnel in 2009, doesn't comment publicly on potential job opportunities.
However, he has turned down overtures from teams in the past and it is well documented that it would take an ideal situation to get DeCosta to leave the Ravens and give up the opportunity to succeed Newsome. DeCosta, 40, has a young family and is entrenched in the area. He also has a strong relationship with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.
But the openings in Chicago and Indianapolis are attractive jobs and would give DeCosta plenty to think about.
During DeCosta's tenure as college scouting director, the Ravens drafted Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Jarret Johnson, Ray Rice, Ben Grubbs and Joe Flacco among others.