Tag: chris ballard

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard sat in front of the media on Friday and answered questions for nearly an hour.

As he’s reflected on what went wrong in 2024, one of the biggest issues was the lack of competition.

“Instead of really creating competition throughout and throwing new blood into the locker room, new players into the locker room, I said ‘you know what, we’re gonna run it back,’” Ballard said. “That was a mistake.”

After finishing 9-8 in 2023 and narrowly missing out on the playoffs following a Week 18 loss to Houston, outside of the draft, Ballard barely added to the roster. The only outside additions made were Joe Flacco and Raekwon Davis–a backup quarterback and a rotational defensive tackle.

Instead, Ballard banked on the internal development of this group and it backfired.

Ballard would go to mention DeForest Buckner’s comments about ego and complacency being accurate depictions of the 2024 Colts, and in part, those mindsets were fostered because there was little competition on the roster.

Players on a team that hadn’t been to the playoffs in three seasons–at that time–were guaranteed playing time without anyone pushing them.

In fact, really the two places where there was some sort of competition was at safety, as then defensive coordinator Gus Bradley mixed and matched starting configurations over the summer, and at receiver with AD Mitchell drafted to compete with Alec Pierce.

Perhaps not surprisingly given the circumstances and competition that was created, Nick Cross and Pierce were two of the players that took steps forward this season.

“I didn’t create enough competition on the roster,” added Ballard. “That directly falls on my shoulders. I was wrong. I was wrong.”

How this will impact free agency this offseason remains to be seen, obviously. When asked for specifics, Ballard wasn’t going to get into what free agency might look like, but did acknowledge that “We’ve got to be better about making sure that we identify the right free agents that can help push this team to where it needs to go.”

This time last year, Ballard did believe that the Colts were trending in the right direction, however, he doesn’t feel that way any more. Change in how he goes about building this roster has to happen.

“Right now, we’re not close,” Ballard said. “I want to make that clear. Being close is losing on the last play of the of the Super Bowl. Going 8-9 is not close.”

(This article was updated to provide additional information.)

For the first time since August, before the 2024 season began, Indianapolis Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard met with the media to discuss this past year, along with what’s ahead.

After another disappointing season that resulted in the Colts’ missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year, Ballard was retained and will be the team’s general manager in 2025.

If you missed any of Ballard’s press conference on Friday, here is what you nee to know from it:

– “I’ve got to own all of that,” said Ballard about the Colts not making the playoffs in four years and not having a playoff win since 2018. “There’s definitely a sense of guilt for not getting it done at this time.”

– Ballard called himself “stubborn” and said as he reflected throughout the week that they need to self-evaluate how they build the team and how they operate moving forward. This is the only way they can create real change.

– “I don’t think we can completely stamp it,” said Ballard when asked about his confidence in Anthony Richardson being the guy. They’ve seen the ‘wow’ plays but need the consistency. Ballard also adds that Richardson has to stay healthy. “The good news is,” said Ballard, that Richardson will go into the offseason healthy.

– “We can’t beat our head against the wall,” said Ballard, we need competition at quarterback because competition makes everyone better but Richardson hasn’t shown that he can play 17 games.

– “Yeah, I did,” said Ballard when asked if we was too rigid in sticking to his own philosophy. He mentions that after how the 2023 season ended, he thought the team was trending up, and “it was a mistake” not adding competition to the roster. Ballard acknowledged that “ego” and “complacency” on the roster, which DeForest Buckner called out, was correct.

– “We’ve got to be better about making sure that we identify the right free agents that can help push this team to where it needs to go.” Ballard goes on to say “we are not close,” mentioning that losing on the last play of the Super Bowl is close, at 8-9, the Colts are not close.

– “He does a good job holding guys accountable,” said Ballard about Shane Steichen. Ballard adds that he doesn’t like all the things said to the media and not kept internally. He addressed the team about that.

– “I don’t agree with everything Pat (McAfee) said, but there is some truth to it,” said Ballard about the criticisms of the Colts’ culture. “You can’t fool players,” added Ballard.

– Ballard on the fan perception of if he’s the right GM for the Colts: “I don’t blame them for being (expletive) and questioning. I’m very grateful that I’m given another opportunity to earn their trust back.”

– Jim Irsay’s message to Ballard: “Fix it….”he was direct.”

– “In a perfect world a young quarterback would sit. We weren’t living in a perfect world,” said Ballard about Richardson starting right away. Ballard added that regardless, he wishes they would have sat Richardson right away. “He was drowning,” Ballard said of Richardson this season and why they sat him. Richardson needed to “calm down,” he had lost his poise, and needed to learn how to prepare.

– In the Colts’ leadership meeting before they made the decision to put Richardson back in the lineup, other members of the Colts team shared with Richardson what they needed to see from him going forward. Ballard mentioned some of the positives against New York, Detroit, and New England that they saw from him after his return.

– Ballard said that Michael Pittman will not need surgery on his back.

– About the defense, Ballard said it’s on everyone–he has to bring in more competition but all levels of the organization in that regard need to improve. Ballard adds that the new defensive coordinator will make the decisions about the current defensive position coaches.

– The new defensive coordinator will be chosen by Steichen. Ballard will be a part of the conversations.

– “I’m very grateful,” said Ballard about getting a ninth season at the helm. “I don’t run from the criticism.”

– “Just young,” said Ballard about AD Mitchell’s rookie year. He also added that Alec Pierce’s emergence was a part of that. Pierce is an “excellent, excellent football player.” Ballard says Mitchell has to be more consistent.

– “I think our D-line played pretty good,” said Ballard. The sacks and pressure rate took a step back this season. Ballard says “we’ve got to be a better tackling team.”

– “We’ve got to get better,” said Ballard about the secondary.

– “There are certain times where our messaging needs to be better,” said Ballard about Steichen.

– Ballard wasn’t going to get into his conversations with Zaire Franklin, but did say, “you can’t win with distractions.”

– “We’ve got to make sure we have enough depth there,” said Ballard about the offensive line, and again added that improved competition throughout the roster is needed.

Just because there won’t be any changes to the Indianapolis Colts’ general manager position with Chris Ballard returning doesn’t mean that his approach to free agency should remain the same.

“We like our guys” is a phrase often mentioned by Ballard, and his actions back those sentiments up. Most often, rather than dabbling in free agency and making outside additions, Ballard will opt to re-sign his own players.

A prime example of this was the 2024 offseason. Coming off a 9-8 season in 2023 when the Colts just missed out on a playoff berth, Ballard re-signed a number of the team’s own free agents, with the only outside additions that were made being Raekwon Davis and Joe Flacco–a rotational defender and a backup quarterback.

This approach, building through the draft and signing a number of those draft picks to second contracts–assuming they’ve earned it–isn’t a bad idea. In fact, it’s what just about every good team does and then they utilize free agency to supplement any position groups that are lacking impact players.

But for the Colts, as the on-field product has shown us for several years now, this isn’t a team that many would put into that good category, which means that free agency needs to play a bigger role than what it has.

Let’s go back to this past offseason for another example: with the secondary struggling mightily in 2023, Ballard chose to runback essentially the same group of players. Now it’s one thing to want to give the young players reps–that is the only way they will grow and develop–but not bringing in any veteran options at cornerback or safety to bolster the depth, the competition, and to provide insurance was a miss by Ballard.

We could also point to the tight end position, which has underwhelmed in the passing game, and the backup running back role as well where a veteran addition would have been helpful–and in none of these scenarios would a high-priced free agent been a requirement, just added competition to raise the floor of each of the mentioned position groups.

Also, for a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs in four seasons and has suffered several devastating losses, adding a player or two to the roster who has won and been in the playoffs could be a benefit to the locker room.

“There’s going to be guys out there who can help this team,” DeForest Buckner said via the Indy Star. “We’ve got to make the right moves. I’m not a GM. They’re going to look at everything, and I believe they’re going to pick the right people to be in this locker room and to help this football team.”

According to Over the Cap, the Colts currently have just over $49 million in cap space for the 2025 offseason, which ranks around the middle of the pack compared to the rest of the NFL.

I don’t think anyone is expecting Ballard to do a complete 180 and start handing out lucrative contracts to every top free agent on the market. However, he does have to be more flexible and willing to make some additions to bolster a roster that has again missed the playoffs because continuing to do the same thing over and over obviously isn’t working.

The Indianapolis Colts may not have a “superstar” at the tight end position, but general manager Chris Ballard does like the depth of the group and the variety of skill sets in the room as well.

“So they’re all viable,” said Ballard of the tight end room. “I mean, they all got a little–do we have a, per se, superstar in the group? Probably not. Do we have really good players at the group? Yeah.”

Coming into training camp, the Colts have seven tight ends on the roster, and Ballard believes just about all of them have a path to contributing to this year’s team.

“I mean, Mo Alie’s got a role,” added Ballard. “(Drew) Ogletree’s got a role. (Kyle) Granson’s got a little bit of a role. Mallory, we think is going to do some really good things. We got to see Jelani.

“Then you got (Eric) Tomlinson, who’s played in this league and is a good Y-blocking tight end. So I think that’ll work itself out over time.”

The strength of this Colts’ tight end unit is the number of different roles that, collectively, this unit can fill.

Alie-Cox and Ogletree are often asked to block, but both, particularly Ogletree, have the versatility to play from the slot, and can be big targets in the passing game for Anthony Richardson when needed.

As Ballard mentions, Tomlinson fills the traditional in-line Y-tight end role, while Woods can add a big play presence to the passing game, especially over the middle in Shane Steichen’s RPO-heavy offense. It is his goal this summer to his spot as a pivotal member of the offense.

“Jelani showed some really good things as a rookie and then was hurt all last year,” said Ballard. “He’s got to stay healthy and let’s see what he’s got.”

Then Granson and Mallory fit the do-it-all move tight end mold, with either being able to handle just about any role within the offense.

Having a diverse group of skill sets at this position will allow Steichen to be really game-plan specific in how he utilizes the tight end room. From week-to-week, to a degree, playing time could be determined by who the opponent is and what the offense needs to be successful.

Last season, 12 personnel–or two tight end packages–was the second-most utilized personnel grouping by the Colts.

“I think with Shane and our offensive staff, they’re going to play to the strengths,” Ballard said. “So like, if those guys end up being, have to be on the field in 12, 13 personnel every once in a while, then he’ll do it.

“He’ll do whatever he thinks and adjust however we have to win. But I do think it’s a good group. Might not be a superstar, but it’s a good group.”

The challenge potentially, or as Ballard put it–a good problem to have–will be determining how many of these players make the initial 53-man roster. Going heavy and keeping five tight ends means going light at another position group, and although Ballard mentioned six of the tight ends being able to have a role, rostering that many seems unrealistic as well.

An added wrinkle in this is Alie-Cox’s contract. He is in the final year of his deal and has no guaranteed dollars left. If the Colts were to release him, they would save $5.9 million in cap space.

“That’s a good problem,” said Ballard about the number of potential contributors at tight end the Colts have. “I mean, I’d rather have–I’d rather us be talking about having five or six viable players at a position than going we don’t have but one viable player at a position. So that’s not a bad thing.”

Ultimately, all of these questions will be answer in the next several weeks as training camp and the preseason unfolds. While this position group may be lacking star power, as a collective unit, there is a lot the Colts’ tight ends can offer the offense this season.

Training camp is underway for the Indianapolis Colts, with veterans and rookies reporting on Wednesday, July 24th, and the first practice taking place on Thursday.

With everyone back in the building, GM Chris Ballard would meet with reporters. Here are the highlights from that conversation. To watch the full interview, click here.

– Ballard begins by saying that he believes the Colts are a talented team, but there’s work to do. The intensity gets kicked up during training camp when the pads come on. He adds that there is a good mix of veterans and young players on the team.

– Medicals weren’t quite done when Ballard was meeting with reporters, but he did say that Chris Lammons will start on the PUP list following ankle surgery, adding that he’s a week or two away from being ready.

– Tyler Goodson had a toe injury, but Ballard wasn’t sure if he will start on the NFI or PUP lists.

– JuJu Brents had an ankle clean up right after OTAs, but should be cleared soon and may be limited to start.

– Genard Avery is “getting close.” Ballard doesn’t expect him to start on PUP. Braden Smith will get worked back slowly and Ashton Dulin should be “good to go.” Dulin may be a little limited to start.

– Ballard was asked about Ryan Kelly’s contract situation. Kelly told reporters that his representation approached the Colts about a new deal but were told that an early extension won’t be happening. Ballard says the team has proven they are loyal to their own players.

– Ballard says “I definitely think we’re going to be in the mix” when asked about the upcoming season.

– When it comes to positional battles, Ballard mentions the secondary first, which may not be worked out until into the season. The only givens right now are that Kenny Moore and Julian Blackmon will be starting. Ballard adds that Blackmon played “excellent” last year, and mentions Ronnie Harrison when discussing the safety position.

– Other battles include the backup Mike behind Zaire Franklin. The swing tackle along the offensive line is another, and then the backup running back role.

– Ballard doesn’t expect maintenance days during minicamp with Anthony Richardson. “I’m not expecting any limitations right now. None.”

– Ballard likes the football they’ve put around Richardson so he doesn’t have to carry them. They like what they saw from him last season but he’s got to prove it over the course of time.

– “Most likely,” says Ballard when asked if Richardson will play in the preseason.

– Ballard speaks highly of Richardson’s poise. Despite the lack of NFL snaps, you don’t see any panic.

– On the tight end position, Ballard says while they may not have a superstar at the position, they have a lot of talent who can handle different roles. “That’ll work itself out over time.” Adds that Shane Steichen will use 12 or 13 personnel if that’s what the gameplan calls for.

– “I thought he played really well the last two years,” said Ballard about EJ Speed. “I love EJ Speed,” added Ballard. “He loves everything about the process.”

– “He’s able to adapt to whatever the quarterback can do,” said Ballard about Steichen. He adds that the relationship between Steichen and Richardson is really strong. “He’s outstanding,” said Ballard about offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.

– “I do like our set of weapons,” said Ballard about the Colts’ receivers. “I think Downs is really good.” Ballard believes they have enough weapons at the position with Adonai Mitchell, Michael Pittman, and Alec Pierce, along with Downs.

– “Jonathan Taylor will have a big year,” said Ballard.

– “We like our young players,” said Ballard about the cornerbacks and safeties. “I’m not saying we won’t do something. We definitely could. But I want to see these young guys get after it and compete.”

– “I think we got a chance to be a really, really good offensive football team.” Ballard believes in that, in large part because of how talented they are upfront.