INDIANAPOLIS – As the NFL world converges on Indianapolis for the scouting combine, it seems Colts general manager Chris Ballard will soon be able to cross one gigantic item off his offseason to-do list: find a starting left tackle.

During a somewhat impromptu and wide-ranging news conference Sunday afternoon at the Colts practice facility, team owner Jim Irsay strongly hinted the Colts' nine-year starter at left tackle, Anthony Castonzo, will not retire — a possibility Castonzo suggested at the end of the 2019 season — and will return to the Colts for his 10th season.

"I haven’t talked to Anthony personally, but he’s a Pro Bowl left tackle and we want him to come back," Irsay said. "I think there’s a strong likelihood that he will, but I think Chris will have more on that in the coming weeks. I’m hopeful.”

While Castonzo, perhaps unfairly, has never actually made a Pro Bowl, Colts leadership feels the same way about him that the owner does.

Last month, Colts coach Frank Reich called Castonzo one of the best left tackles in football.

"I think he should be in there. I don’t even understand (how Castonzo has never made the Pro Bowl).”

If Castonzo indeed returns, Ballard will be able to let out a big sigh of relief. Finding a franchise-caliber left tackle to fill in for Castonzo wouldn't have been easy and likely would have cost him significant capital either in free agency, trade market or the NFL draft.

Now, it appears, Ballard and the Colts can focus their efforts on trying to upgrade other positions, including along the defensive line, wide receiver and quarterback.

Adam Vinatieri

Though the 47-year-old future hall-of-famer is not under contract with the Colts for the 2020 season, Irsay wasn't ready to say if the 24-year veteran had kicked his last field goal in Indianapolis.

"I don’t know. I know he’s rehabbing that knee and it's something that Chris and Frank will talk about and give their opinions to me," Irsay said of Vinatieri. "As an as owner I occasionally step in, but I like to give my people room to make mistakes. Often times that’s how you learn. The best way to learn. It hurts, but you learn that way.

"But Adam knows how much I think of him. He’s unbelievable. ... We’ll see. He’s in rehab mode now, and we’re in the middle of trying to put the team together."

Vinatieri endured the worst year of his professional career in 2019, missing 14 kicks — eight field goals and six extra points — before hitting injured reserve in Week 13 with an ailing knee.

Rookie Chase McLaughlin filled in for Vinatieri during the final four games of the season, making 5-of-6 field goals and all 11 of his extra points.

"I'm happy with Chase," Ballard said in early January, just days after handing the young kicker a one-year contract extension. "You come in and you have to follow Adam Vinatieri, you've got a little something to you. He's got a really calm demeanor, he's got a process that he goes through to kick. We like Chase."

Marlon Mack

Irsay said the team is not looking to extend running back Marlon Mack, who is under contract for the final season of his rookie deal.

“Marlon Mack, we love him. … We want him back, and he wants to be back, really,” Irsay said. “There were some misreports that we were pursuing an extension there. That’s not the case.”

Earlier this month, IndyStar reported the Colts and Mack had engaged in discussions about a contract extension. A league source told IndyStar those conversations were expected to intensify during the combine this week.

Follow IndyStar Colts Insider Jim Ayello on Twitter: @jimayello.