Colts GM Chris Ballard Drops 5 Nuggets in Season-End Presser

Chris Ballard, general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, has given plenty of hints about his thoughts on the team and his summer approach.

For Indianapolis Colts fans, this is one of the most anticipated press conferences of the year.

Every summer, Colts general manager Chris Ballard sits down with the media to answer any questions about the team. While most general managers keep their season-ending press conferences brief, Ballard provides unrestricted access.

This year’s season-ending news conference felt very different from previous year’s. The Colts’ future looked bleak following a 4-12-1 season. However, significant progress was made after a year in which rookie head coach Shane Steichen led the team to a 9-8 record, flashes of greatness from rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, and a shot at the playoffs. The Colts still have work to do, but there is optimism on W 56th Street for the future.

“I despise losing. “I’m sick of it,” Ballard confessed. “I’m sick of not making the playoffs. That is entirely my fault. But I’m encouraged by where we’re going and confidence in our direction.”

As usual, Ballard left some tidbits about what the club is thinking and the direction of the Colts in the coming months. Here are five key takeaways from Ballard’s 50-minute press conference.

Richardson Leaves a Strong Impression

In 2023, the Colts did not get to watch their rookie quarterback on the field for very long. Despite playing only four games as a rookie, Richardson has impressed Ballard.

“He’s a good young man who still has a lot to learn,” Ballard said of Richardson. “But here’s what I like about him: he’s very humble and has empathy for others.” He is genuinely concerned. He is passionately committed to being the best player he can be and to his teammates, and he is willing to put in the effort. He has a lot of talent.”

Coaches and players praised Richardson’s passion to his art on multiple occasions. The quarterback is always carrying his iPad, soaking up as much information as he can from Steichen and the other offensive instructors. The “obsession with their craft” comment made by Steichen regarding his quarterback is evident in Richardson.

Another aspect of Richardson’s game that struck Ballard early in the season was his ability to pass. While some in Florida described Richardson as a “raw athlete,” he is far further advanced than previously imagined.

“I’m going to tell you one of the things that really surprised me with Anthony because I was concerned about it, but this guy is a passer,” Ballard went on to say. “I mean, I believe this guy is a legitimate passer.” I believe he will continue to grow and improve as he plays more. Anthony, on the other hand, can play from the pocket and deliver the ball accurately. He only needs to play now. I believe sitting is unpleasant, yet there is always some light. The ability to sit and observe will be advantageous to him in the future.”

With Richardson, the Colts believe the sky is the limit. While they would not publicly proclaim Richardson as the franchise quarterback, they believe he is the one who can lead the Colts back to the top of the NFL.

Gus Bradley Will Remain

The job status of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has been a hot subject among Colts supporters. Bradley has faced criticism for his defensive system after the Colts finished near the bottom of the NFL in points allowed for the second consecutive season. Ballard attempted to put the inconsistency on the defensive side of the ball into context.

“I just said, look, we’re going to go young in some spots,” Ballard said. “We went young in the secondary, and look, there were some rough moments at times in the secondary, and I don’t entirely blame them.” That’s more my fault, but how do you ever establish consistency, especially with your own men, if you don’t just play them?”

This past season, the Colts’ secondary was fairly young. Aside from Kenny Moore II, the cornerback room was dominated by first and second-year players who would have to learn on the fly. Combine that with new starters at various positions, and Ballard understood the defense would have a difficult path ahead.

“We took our lumps, took our lumps at times, but I think it’s going to pay off down the line for them,” Ballard said. “I believe we had five or six new defensive starters.” We’ve done some good lately. It’s not like everything is horrible. The points must be reduced. We’ll keep having lengthy debates about where we’re heading and how we’ll get there. However, we had fresh starters on defense.

“We did some good things as well.” We went after the passer hard. I believe it could be a little better, but 51 sacks is quite impressive. We took the ball away; we need to improve in that area, and we need to remove the bombs. But I think we’ll make another step forward on defense this year.”

The Colts will give Bradley another year to show that he has this defense on the right track. Ballard and Steichen believe the defense will improve as players mature and acquire experience. However, if the Colts do not improve their defense, 2024 will most likely be Bradley’s final season as defensive coordinator.

Priority Free Agents Pittman and Stewart

Michael Pittman Jr. and Grover Stewart are the Colts’ top in-house free agents this spring. Both play critical roles in Indy and would leave huge gaps on the squad if they were not retained.

Starting with Pittman, the Colts’ No. 1 wide out is coming off a breakout season. Pittman finished the season with 109 catches for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish so.Pittman stated last week that he wants to return to the Colts, and Ballard wants to make that happen.

“I care deeply about him,” Ballard said of Pittman. “We have a great relationship.” It’s an honest one, maybe too honest at times. But that’s exactly what I like about him. The guy is a fighter. He’s a rough guy. He is concerned. He is determined to win. We’ll try hard to get him back. We’ll figure it out…. Pitt is a good football player for us, and we hope he stays a Colt.”

With the Colts, Stewart has developed into one of the league’s greatest run-stopping defensive tackles. While Stewart was suspended for six games this season, the Colts’ run defense struggled greatly. Indy is also making his return a priority.

“Grover is a – I think you know my feelings on Grover,” Ballard went on to say. “He was one of our first draft picks in my first year here. He’s done nothing except be a great Colt, a great teammate, and everything else you could ask for. Grover is someone we’d like to have back.”

It is safe to conclude that keeping Pittman and Stewart is a top goal for Ballard. It would be surprising if both were not granted long-term extensions in 2024.

Increased Aggressiveness in Free Agency

Under Ballard, the Colts have taken an extremely conservative approach to free agency. However, given the present quarterback predicament, Ballard is willing to make a move.

“I think we have more flexibility right now than we’ve had the last few years,” he said. “Part of it is because we’re not paying a quarterback a lot of money anymore.” We’re going to have a little more leeway. We’ll always be cautious, but in free agency, we’ll be as aggressive as we need to be with guys we believe can benefit us.”

This is the first free agency time under Ballard in which the Colts will not pay top bucks for a quarterback. The Colts will have more leeway to pursue higher-priced free agents if they believe it is the right fit. But that doesn’t mean the Colts’ mentality will change totally come spring.

“With free agency… it’s the player’s fit in the locker room, and then whatever you’re paying that player, that he can earn and is worth the amount of money you’re paying him.” As a result, it’s a fine line.”

Despite the Colts’ increased freedom, Ballard is unlikely to engage in bidding wars for high-priced free agents. Instead, we could see more moves in free agency’s middle tier for players who can make an immediate impact, similar to the recent signings for Stephon Gilmore and Samson Ebukam. Expect the Colts to be more active in free agency in 2024, but in a calculated and sensible way.

Focus on Explosive Plays

In 2023, the Colts were troubled by explosive plays on both sides of the ball. After Richardson was lost for the season, the rate of explosive plays on offense dropped dramatically. Missed tackles led to explosive runs on defense, while an inexperienced secondary allowed too many explosives via the air.

To get where they want to go, the Colts must improve their ability to generate explosive plays on offense while minimizing them on defense.

“It’s an area that I think on both sides of the ball we need to improve.” As said by Ballard. “We have to get more explosive on offense and we have to be able to eliminate the explosives on defense.”

Richardson’s return will help the offense restore some of its explosiveness. The Colts were 10th in the NFL in explosive plays when Richardson was on the field, thanks to his strong arm and ability as a runner. Even with Richardson, Pittman, and Jonathan Taylor on board, the Colts are looking for more.

Ballard mentioned acquiring guys that can aid with explosive play.

“I’ve got a pretty good handle on the NFL Draft, and we think it’ll be pretty good with some explosive guys and then working through free agency right now.” We believe there will be opportunities to add some players to make us more explosive.”

Indy needs playmakers all over the field. Adding playmakers on both sides of the ball appears to be Ballard’s philosophy as he aims to bring in a more dynamic Colts squad in 2024.