Let’s forget about the fact that Chris Ballard has been the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts since 2017 and has one playoff victory to his name. Let’s forget about the fact that the Colts have zero division championships over that span too. Let’s also cast aside the reality that it took him five years to find a potential replacement for Andrew Luck. Now, I said to forget about all of that, but can we really? It is part of Ballard’s resume. As we head into year eight, is his seat hot at all? Should it be?
Ballard is one of the most polarizing members of the Colts organization. The coach, quarterback, and GM normally are the ones that stir up the most disagreements amongst fans. Frank Reich was fired, and we have had a new quarterback every year. The one constant has been Ballard.
Some fans love him. They see him as a great drafter. His ability to wheel and deal and find those diamonds in the rough is seen as second to none. He can hang his hat on Michael Pittman Jr., Quenton Nelson, Shaquille Leonard, Jonathan Taylor, Grover Stewart, and many other stalwarts of the organization. Because of these great finds, he is often given a pass.
The other side of the fan base is quick to point out the fact that it hasn’t actually led to anything. Additionally, there is more to his role as the GM than the draft. Yes, that is where true team building is done, and it is crucial to long term success. In other areas, such as free agency, he comes up short. Never one to open his wallet, Ballard passes each offseason caring little about how many free agents go to other teams. The flexibility that rolling cap space over year-to-year provides is much more appealing.
It is fair to see Ballard as a good drafter and a less than stellar free agency GM. If that is the case, where does that leave him? He signed an extension in 2021 and outlived Reich who signed the same deal. There won’t be another extension without results. That seems perfectly fair to me. I wonder if that means he has an entire year before his seat gets hot or is the seat warmer already on? What level of pressure is there in Jim Irsay’s mind? He is very supportive of his staff, but even he has a breaking point. When will that point be reached?
Chris Ballard has been given ample opportunity to produce a winner in the NFL. His team resides in a division with no true dominating force, yet he has been the only one unable to capture the division crown. If the draft classes are so good, they need to produce results on the field. The problem is we just haven’t seen it. I don’t think the seat is that hot yet, but if we don’t see serious results and growth from the team this year, I doubt he makes it to the end of his contract.
