Polian's career in football began long before his time with the Colts. He started in the scouting department of the Buffalo Bills in 1994, where he worked under his father, Bill Polian, a Hall of Fame executive. He then moved to the Carolina Panthers in 1995, where he served as an assistant scout before being promoted to Pro Personnel Coordinator in 1997.
In 1998, Polian joined the Indianapolis Colts, again working under his father. He started as the Director of Pro Scouting, a position he held until 2001. He was then promoted to Assistant Director of Football Operations, a role he held until 2004. During this time, the Colts enjoyed significant success, including a Super Bowl victory in 2006.
In 2005, Polian was promoted to Vice President of Football Operations, a role he held until 2009. During this time, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team, including player personnel decisions, contract negotiations, and salary cap management.
In 2009, Polian was promoted to General Manager of the Colts, a position he held until 2011. As General Manager, he was responsible for all football operations, including player acquisition, scouting, and contract negotiations. However, his tenure as General Manager was marked by controversy, including a public dispute with star quarterback Peyton Manning over contract negotiations.
Despite the controversy, Polian's tenure with the Colts was largely successful. The team won two AFC Championships and appeared in two Super Bowls, winning one. Polian was also instrumental in the drafting and development of several key players, including Manning, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, and defensive end Dwight Freeney.
After leaving the Colts in 2011, Polian worked as a scout for the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013 as Director of Pro Personnel. He was promoted to Director of Player Personnel in 2015, a position he held until 2019. During his time with the Jaguars, Polian was responsible for evaluating current and prospective players and assisting with player acquisition.
Throughout his career, Polian has been recognized for his talent evaluation and player development skills. He has a reputation for identifying and developing talent, and his teams have consistently performed at a high level. Despite the occasional controversy, Polian's impact on the NFL is undeniable.
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