Chiefs’ Chris Ballard interviews for Titans’ GM job

The second-in-command to Chiefs’ general manager John Dorsey might have a chance to run his own team soon.

Chris Ballard, the Chiefs’ director of football operations, interviewed with the Tennessee Titans on Monday for their GM opening, the Titans announced.

Ballard is the sixth person to interview for the position according to the club, which has also interviewed former Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, Jacksonville Jaguars director of player personnel Chris Polian, Tampa Bay Buccaneers director of player personnel Jon Robinson, New York Giants vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross and former Denver Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist.

This is the second time in two years Ballard has interviewed for another job. He was also courted last January by the Chicago Bears, who ultimately hired former New Orleans Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace as general manager.

“Chris is a tremendous person, very sharp at what he does from the personnel side of things,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said at the time. “He and Dorse work hand-in-hand. I think he has a bright future in this business.”

Ballard joined the Chiefs as director of pro personnel before the 2013 season after spending the previous 11 years as the Bears’ Southwest area scout. He helped select Pro Bowlers Matt Forte, Tommie Harris, Johnny Knox, Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher.

With the Chiefs, Ballard played a role in the selection of cornerback Marcus Peters in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Peters was dismissed from the University of Washington during his junior season after repeated clashes with the new coaching staff and was considered a draft risk by many. The Chiefs sent Ballard to Oakland to spend a little time with Peters prior to the draft.

Peters has recorded nine interceptions during a dynamite rookie season that could end with him being chosen the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year.

“We had a lot of questions (about him) answered here, (but) I think it’s important to understand a person’s surroundings, his environment, his family, what his makeup is, to meet his parents,” Dorsey said after the selection of Peters. “I think that’s important and we got a chance to do that. I think it was well worth it.”

Ballard was promoted last May to his current position of director of football operations under Dorsey.

This story was originally published January 11, 2016 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Chiefs’ Chris Ballard interviews for Titans’ GM job."