INDIANAPOLIS – In the NFL’s bottom-line business, Chris Ballard is unwavering.
He’s going to construct and run the Indianapolis Colts his way.
Deal with it.
In his annual State of the Franchise Wednesday afternoon with what figures to be a defining Sept. 8 opener against the Houston Texans looming, Ballard didn’t defend his seven-year record as the Colts’ general manager as much as he did the core principles behind it.
Critics point to the lack of sustained success since Ballard arrived in January 2017. A 54-60-1 record. Two playoff appearances, but none the past three seasons. One playoff victory. The only member of the AFC South not to win the division at least once in the last nine seasons. In fact, the other three have won at it at least twice.
Do you feel you’re on the hot seat?
“I think you do every year,’’ Ballard said. “That’s kind of how I’m wired.
“But no, no different than any other year.’’
Then came a pertinent follow-up question.
Going into year 8 and considering your track record, why should people believe you are the right GM for the job?
Ballard paused and exhaled.
“I guess maybe because of my DNA,’’ he said. “I’ve always had a strong belief in myself and those around me. A strong belief in what we do.’’
He mentioned the Colts making the playoffs in two of his first four seasons. First with Andrew Luck in 2018, which generated the only postseason win of the Ballard era, 21-7 at division champ Houston. Next with Philip Rivers in ’20 when the Colts were edged 27-24 at Buffalo in the first round.
“Had to overcome a quarterback retiring on us,’’ he said of Luck’s sudden departure a few weeks before the ’19 season opener. “Still found a way.’’
The ’20 Colts, Ballard believed, were “excellent.
Same with the ’21 version, until “it all kinda fell apart.’’
“The last three years not making the playoffs, it’s a disappointment,’’ Ballard said. “I’m not going to sit here and say it wasn’t.
“But 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.’’
As he spoke, the DNA took over. The man will do it his way – with input from owner Jim Irsay and the team’s personnel staff, of course – and sleep as well at night as any GM in the league.
“Either you believe for something or you believe nothing,’’ Ballard said. “It’s easy to vacillate. 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.’’
It’s worth noting Ballard has the unwavering support of his boss.
During an appearance in the Colts’ preseason game with Arizona, Irsay described Ballard as a “blue chip’’ general manager.
Ballard took a few significant swings during the offseason.
He made a strong push for Danielle Hunter only to see the best pass rusher on the open market sign a two-year, $48 million contract with the rival Texans. During the draft, he made a significant offer to the New York Giants to move up from his No. 15 spot to No. 6.
Some point to Ballard sticking with his infrequent shopping in free agency. The only acquisitions: quarterback Joe Flacco and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis. Both are backups, although injury would impact their role.
But it’s selective criticism not to mention he re-signed or extended eight front-line players to contracts with a maximum value of $240 million with roughly $156 million in guarantees.
Essentially, the Colts chose to run it back in ’24. All 22 starters, along with special teams, return from a team that came within a few plays in week 18 against Houston of winning its first AFC South title since 2014.
That 9-8, near-miss season unfolded with Anthony Richardson missing the final 12 games with a sprained shoulder and Jonathan Taylor’s availability and effectiveness lessened by a contract squabble that forced him to miss the first four games and thumb surgery that cost him three more.
As the season nears, Ballard is bullish on his Colts.
Dynamic playmakers in Richardson and Taylor, one of the best receiver rooms in recent memory and strong, deep offensive and defensive lines.
Ballard’s opinion of Taylor?
“A superstar,’’ he said.
Overall, Ballard added, “I think it’s a good team. I think it’s a really good team.
“Now, we’ve gotta go perform.’’
The Texans and C.J. Stroud are considered favorites to win a second straight division title, with the Trevor Lawrence-led Jacksonville Jaguars expected to bounce back from their death spiral over the second half of last season.
The Colts? There’s so much unknown simply because of Richardson’s unknown. His rookie season was limited to four starts, 173 snaps and 84 pass attempts. The season-opening start against Houston will be just his 18th since he graduated high school.
Ballard’s expectations for Richardson?
“To play winning football,’’ he said. “There’s going to be some roller-coaster moments. I won’t say all, but most quarterbacks, when they’re young, go through those moments. There’s going to be. But learn from them, grow and keep moving forward.’’
And for the Colts?
“I mean, we feel like we will be in the mix,’’ Ballard said. “Look, we were in the mix a year ago.
“I think I said this earlier, where sometimes the scars are good for you. Hard times can be good for you. Defeat, failure, can be good for you if you handle if right.
“I have a lot of belief in the leadership. One, of Shane (Steichen), but also these players. From guys that have been there and been through a lot.
“It’ll be fun to watch this team grow through the season and go through it.”
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
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