Colts and 49ers Name Their New GMs

TV announcer hired by Niners as GM

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers' new general manager is former NFL safety and Fox Sports football analyst John Lynch.

The three-time All Pro selection replaces Trent Baalke and inherits a franchise that was 2-14 this season, matching the worst in team history. Lynch comes into the job with no front-office experience, having gone straight from the playing field to the broadcast booth in 2008.

Irsay picks Ballard as GM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have found a new general manager.

Owner Jim Irsay has hired former Kansas City executive Chris Ballard, who has never served as a GM. He was hired by the Chiefs in 2013 as the director of player personnel and was promoted to director of football operations under current Kansas City GM John Dorsey.

The hiring comes eight days after Ryan Grigson was dismissed. Grigson also was a first-time GM when he took over the Colts' front office in 2012.