Colts GM Ballard Outlines Future Plans Amidst Mixed Record

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Chris Ballard, the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, finds himself at a critical juncture as he embarks on his ninth season. At the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Ballard was asked about the support he believes he has from team owner Jim Irsay, particularly after a tenure characterized by only two playoff appearances and no division titles in the past eight years.

Ballard responded that Irsay’s confidence in him comes from honest, open communication they have shared. After the firing of head coach Frank Reich, Irsay expressed his belief in Ballard’s ability to turn things around. “He said, ‘Chris, look, I believe you can get this done. I’m gonna give you an opportunity to get it done,’” Ballard recounted. “I think Jim had enough patience. He knows I’m very honest, even when we have our talks.”

The Colts have struggled in recent years, illustrated by their lack of AFC South titles while rivals like the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars have each secured the division crown at least twice during that span. Ballard attributed part of the challenge to the abrupt retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck in 2019 and a failed 2022 trade for Matt Ryan, which hasn’t panned out as planned.

Looking forward, there are significant questions about the Colts’ quarterback situation. When asked how he plans to attract competition for this season, Ballard was evasive. “It’s like with anything,” he said. “Until we actually get out there and do it, this will be the question.”

Quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will likely remain the starter, but Ballard’s comments on competition imply that Richardson needs to demonstrate his capability quickly. He noted the importance of who the Colts might bring in, stating, “I think it depends on who (the other QB) is.”

Ballard also addressed queries regarding potential trades for a veteran quarterback, suggesting that it is a possibility but offering no commitments. He states, “I won’t get into that. I’m not gonna say it’s not … like, we haven’t done it before.” This ambiguity mirrors the uncertainty surrounding the team’s direction as they navigate upcoming free agency and the NFL Draft.

In addition to quarterback discussions, Ballard touched on the status of offensive tackle Braden Smith, who missed the last five games of the season due to a personal issue. “What I will tell you is he’s doing really well, and he wants to play football,” Ballard stated. However, Smith’s future may involve tight salary cap management, especially with his $19.8 million cap hit potentially impacting roster decisions.

The Colts are also looking at their upcoming draft, with Ballard noting a strong draft class, especially in defensive line and tight ends, hinting at the positions of interest as they prepare for April’s NFL Draft.

“D-line is really good. I think tight end is really good. The offensive line, I would tell you, the mid-round (players) are really deep,” Ballard said. With seven draft picks, choices made could lead to significant roster changes heading into the 2025 season. The ongoing combine week in Indianapolis has given prospects an opportunity to impress teams, with fanfare building around notable players who could bolster the Colts and other franchises alike.