Chris Ballard End Of Season Presser Recap

1. Falling On Sword

Ballard Quote: “Just disappointed, extremely disappointed, I hear the criticism, and it’s warranted. It is. And a lot of that falls on my shoulders.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: More so than anything he’s done as a GM, Chris Ballard is at his best in front of the microphone in explaining the failures of a previous season. That’s where he is a “blue chip GM.” And we saw that, again, on Friday morning. Ballard fell on the sword in explaining the Colts issues. The GM did point out the overall messaging, mainly in-season from Shane Steichen, needs to be sharper. And he would like to eliminate locker room distractions (i.e. Zaire Franklin’s podcast comments). Plenty will watch Ballard’s presser and say “we’ve seen this movie before.” You can point to items on Friday that were different from Ballard (see below), but the overall level of acceptance/blame has been heard before. Ballard said it quite well, “Your proof with your actions over time.” Yes, it is January 10^th. Words for now. Actions (how much? to come later in this calendar year.

2. Big Injury Question For Anthony Richardson?

Ballard Quote: “We need the consistency down after down, but the No. 1 thing we have to figure out and Anthony has to work is staying healthy…that to me is probably the biggest question”.

Bowen’s Thoughts: More so than inaccuracy, or turnovers or adhering to the lofty standard of playing quarterback in the NFL, Chris Ballard went to the availability of Anthony Richardson as the biggest focus moving forward. Now, Ballard has plenty of reason to point this out given that injuries have forced Richardson to miss 17 of 34 career games. Expect the Colts to add some notable competition at quarterback, to challenge the play of Richardson, plus be needed in case those injury issues rise again. Ballard believes Richardson’s accuracy can improve, wanting to find those calmer, more decisive moments to help him throw it more accurately. But the general thought of “Can you run an effective Richardson offense and keep him healthy?” remains a frontburner topic for the Colts GM.

3. Different Free Agency Tone?

Ballard Quote: “We have to be better at identifying the free agents we want to sign and close the deal.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: This is different from Ballard. Of course, two months from now the actions will tell the full story. But this messaging from Ballard is different form his usual massive caution flag he throws up about free agency. Typically, Ballard is pointing out the hesitancy in paying “B players, A money.” Or what paying such guys can do, negatively, in a locker room. But this is a different tune, and I’d argue a needed tune. Ballard also said Jim Irsay has his full backing in spending in free agents, it’s up to the GM to get those deals across the goal line. As free agency creeps closer, let’s remember this change in tune from Ballard.

4. Run It Back Mistake

Ballard Quote: “What I’ve done is created an atmosphere that wasn’t competitive enough…I bet on bringing players back that they would be upset and what happened at the end of the season last year and at the end of the day, we were not able to. I didn’t do a good enough job creating enough competition on the roster.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: Probably Ballard’s biggest admittance on Friday was a failure in running it back. The GM pointed to a change in philosophy around 2021-22 where he was gung ho on retention and running it back, even after he received key outside of the building contributions from DeForest Buckner, Philip Rivers and Justin Houston. Ballard calling running it back a “mistake,” stating he needed to stress uncomfortably more. He was very much in agreement of the words of DeForest Buckner on this general topic. Of course, why does it take 8 years for Ballard to figure this out? That’s an issue that Jim Irsay has been willing to accept.

5. Tough Guys Needed

Ballard Quote: “How do we finish these things out…in those big moments, everything comes to light and we have not stood up and answered the bell in those moments. Ultimately, I have to figure out what we are doing wrong, from a team building standpoint, to get us over the hump…I know this, when you have enough tough guys, they usually battle through and fight. Ultimately, I have to fill a team with more of them.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: This quote, near the end, of the presser really resonated me. Generally, Ballard said, we need more “tough guys” on this roster. The GM is certainly right in that this team has fallen short way too often in those late, must-have December/January games, even against some bad teams (Jags in 2021, Bengals in 2023, Falcons in 2023, Giants in 2024). This falls back on the thought of the Colts needing more edginess with their roster and have been over reliant on attention with 7 of their 8 captains having been on this team since 2020.

6. Draft Plan Unlikely To Change

Ballard Quote: “I’m not going to be irresponsible.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: Unlike the free agency answer, I didn’t think the draft answer sounded very different. Don’t expect Chris Ballard to mortgage a bunch of future picks just to move up in the draft. Ballard has been staunch in his belief of trading back a whole lot in his 8 years. While Ballard’s draft history has many hits, the recent run isn’t looking too great. I’d argue a big swing or two would be healthy if you are within striking distance.

7. Aggression Time On Defense

Ballard Quote: “There’s value in being more aggressive.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: Chris Ballard’s baby during his 8 years in Indy has largely been overhauling the defense. Remember, he took blame last year for Gus Bradley’s unit struggling in 2023. Ballard was asked about that on Friday and largely called the problem more than just Bradley/him. The GM actually seemed pleased with how the defensive line played in 2024. I’d push back given the amount of resources invested in it, a season finishing 22^nd in pressures and with too many run defensive issues, isn’t something to be proud of. So, if Ballard really feels that way, then he must not be too fond of the linebacker and secondary play at all. The GM said he wants more aggression from the defense, so that is something to expect as a difference from Bradley’s rather vanilla approach. Ballard said he will have say in the defensive coordinator search, but it will be Shane Steichen’s hire. As expected, along with Gus Bradley leaving, linebacker coach Richard Smith and defensive backs coach Ron Milus won’t be returning. Those two have been long-time staffers with Bradley. Offensively, that staff remains intact and under contract.

8. Where Are The 2025 Needs?

Ballard Quote: “Making sure that we have enough competition through every position. So if they aren’t playing well enough, no matter the stature or status, they know they are going to be benched.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: Specifically, Ballard said the secondary (both cornerback and safety) is a definite area to improve. He was pleased with how the offensive line played. While Ballard liked the blocking of the tight end group, he knows more production is needed. Ballard pointed to giving Shane Steichen more help in the middle of the field, offensively. I’d argue both sides of the ball needs better play in the middle of the field.  

9. Not Close

Ballard Quote: “Right now, we are not close. Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. Going 8-9 is not close.”

Bowen’s Thoughts: This sounds different than Jim Irsay in the post-game locker room from Sunday. Yes, the Colts are not close. They went 8-9 with 8 one-possession wins and haven’t beaten a notable quarterback (outside of Baker Mayfield) since September 2023. Ballard did say he is a fan of how Shane Steichen keeps the team accountable. When speaking on Pat McAfee’s locker room comments, Ballard agreed with some of it. On more than one occasion Friday, Ballard pointed to the players specifically as needing to be “part of the solution.” But when you can’t make the playoffs out of the lowly AFC South in 4 straight years, you are not close.

10. Random Personnel Notes

-AD Mitchell’s struggles as a rookie is something Ballard mostly chalked up to his youth and the strong ascension from Alec Pierce. Ballard pointed to a needed maturation process and more consistency.

-Michael Pittman Jr. will not need surgery on a small back fracture. As you’d expect, Ballard was effusive in his praise for what Pittman Jr. played through this season.

-Ballard said he has yet to have his exit meeting with Ryan Kelly, who is a free agent at the age of 31. Talks about Kelly’s future have not gone into depth yet, according to Ballard.

-Braden Smith’s “personal” matter is something Ballard didn’t want to discuss.