Colts GM speaks out on hot seat rumors after three consecutive non-playoff seasons
The Indianapolis Colts have not made the playoffs since 2020. They went 9-8 in 2021 and 2023, and 4-12-1 in 2022.
This has led to speculation that general manager Chris Ballard, who has held the position since 2017, is at risk of being fired. But speaking to ESPN on Wednesday, he downplayed it, saying:
"No different than any other year... I still have a very strong belief in what we're doing, how we're doing it and how we're going to get there. Either you believe in something or you believe nothing. It's easy to vacillate and go with what the world wants you to do. You either believe in something or you don't. This is what we believe. If it gets me fired, so be it.
Chris Ballard discusses the Colts' roster situation
One famous trait of Chris Ballard's is his resistance to signing major free agents. Philip Rivers was brought in on a one-year deal, while Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan were trade acquisitions for Indianapolis.
The current Colts are led by Anthony Richardson, who is surrounded by young studs like Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. Ballard said of the incoming sophomore's prospects:
"There's gonna be some roller-coaster moments. I don't want to say all, but most quarterbacks, when they're young, go through those moments. But learn from them, grow and keep moving forward."
The defensive side is anchored by trade acquisitions DeForest Buckner and Kenny Moore II. When asked if he would bolster his defense with a veteran signing, Ballard refused to address the situation. He stated he would stick to his youngsters, like JuJu Brents:
"We'll continue to let these guys grow. They don't become players without playing. I think sometimes we forget that they've got to play."
Another roster weakness the GM was asked about was running back. Behind Taylor, only Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson are viable backups. He said of the situation:
“It was a really tough decision between – especially with Sermon getting hurt, but we really liked what Sermon was doing last year and in the offseason. We like some of the things Goodson did. We still like (Evan) Hull. At the end of the day, Goodson just did a little bit more, little more rounded right now, but look, Hull is still going to be definitely in the mix with us.”
The Colts begin their season against the Houston Texans on September 8.