Chris Ballard, the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, is facing a critical offseason after the team concluded the 2023 season with a narrow loss to the Houston Texans. This defeat left the Colts with an 8-9 record, sparking a call for change in the team's strategy and roster dynamics. Ballard, who has held his position for eight seasons, is now scrutinizing the reliance on existing talent that he believes stymied genuine progress.
The Colts invested over $180 million in contract value for their own players, banking heavily on their established roster. However, Ballard admits that this approach has not yielded the desired success. He acknowledges the need to foster more competition within the team to keep players motivated and performing at their best.
"I'm going to make this really clear. Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. That's close. Going 8-9, that's not close," Chris Ballard emphasized.
The team's performance has been underwhelming, leading Ballard to shoulder much of the responsibility. He candidly admitted, "I hear the criticism, and it's warranted."
The Colts' quarterback situation remains a focal point, with Anthony Richardson enduring a challenging season. Richardson experienced a two-game benching and missed four games due to injuries. His injury history is concerning, having missed 17 games in two seasons, including 12 games due to a season-ending shoulder surgery as a rookie in 2023. Richardson's completion rate plummeted to a historically low 47.7% in 2024, prompting Ballard to emphasize the need for durability before considering him a long-term solution.
Ballard stated, "There has to be real stress within that locker room, an uncomfortability that if I don't play well enough my ass will not be on the field playing." This highlights his commitment to creating a competitive environment, ensuring players remain on edge and perform consistently.
To address these challenges, the Colts are expected to pursue a significant quarterback signing in the offseason. The move aims to bolster their roster and provide more stability at the crucial quarterback position.
Despite the setbacks, the Colts made strides in retaining key players. The team re-signed core contributors such as wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., cornerback Kenny Moore II, and nose tackle Grover Stewart in the offseason.
Owner Jim Irsay has confirmed that both Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen will return for the 2025 season, indicating a belief in their ability to steer the team toward improvement.
"I know fans who want immediate change in leadership will be disappointed. That means we have a lot to prove," Jim Irsay remarked.
Ballard's tenure has not been without challenges. The Colts have not reached the playoffs in four years, nor have they won a division title or playoff game since 2018. Ballard acknowledges these shortcomings, stating, "It is. And a lot of that falls on my shoulders. For four years, we've not gone to the playoffs. We've not won a division since I've been here, not won a playoff game since 2018. I've got to own all that. I do, and I'm not going to run from it."
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