Getty Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine.
The Indianapolis Colts’ 2022 season has been a rough ride, between coaching dismissals, multiple quarterback benchings and player injuries. But it’s general manager Chris Ballard who has “failed miserably,” according to The Athletic’s Mike Jones.
“Former coach Frank Reich was the scapegoat during the regular season, but could Ballard be next for [owner] Jim Irsay? His team went from narrowly missing the playoffs in 2021 to double-digit losses in 2022,” Jones wrote in a December 27 story assessing the stock value of the NFL’s general managers and they improved or worsened their teams.
Jones attributed roster changes as a key reasons Ballard’s stock is down. The Colts (4-10-1) traded away quarterback Carson Wentz before trading for Matt Ryan, who turned out to be a downgrade at age 37. Jones wrote that Ryan was “on the decline and not the difference-maker Ballard and company saw him as.”
He also addressed the poor play of the offensive line, writing that the unit was constructed of “ill-fitting parts” to begin the season.
“That cost them dearly in the run game, which had ranked among their strengths,” Jones wrote.
Ballard’s Tenure as GM
Despite the trying times, Colts owner Jim Irsay said on December 26 that Ballard would return to the Colts as general manager for his seventh season.
“Chris Ballard will be our general manager,” Irsay said during an interview on “NFL on ESPN.”
Ballard arrived in Indianapolis in 2017 with quarterback Jacoby Brissett leading the way after starter Andrew Luck had season-ending shoulder surgery.
By the time Luck returned in 2018, Ballard had significantly improved the roster, hitting on several draft picks — including offensive guard Quenton Nelson and linebacker Shaquille Leonard — and putting together a 10-6 season with appearing in the divisional round of the playoff.
When Luck unexpectedly retired in August 2019 at 30 years old, the course of Colts history changed. The Colts signed Philip Rivers, who led them to an 11-5 record and wild-card loss in 2020 before retiring. Since then, Ballard has not been able to find consistency at quarterback, with Carson Wentz, Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and now Nick Foles struggling in some form.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor led the NFL in rushing last season and the team was second in the league in yards on the ground per game (149.4). This season, however, the Colts are 25th in that category with just 102.8. That disparity goes back to Jones’ point that one of the Colts’ best strengths has turned into a weakness.
Indianapolis’ Biggest Need Entering 2023
One of Ballard’s strengths is talent evaluation. That’s been evident through draft selections, trades and free agent pickups throughout his tenure.
But one glaring issue that counters that is what seems to be a strong belief in veteran quarterbacks and their leadership. Barring the 2020 season in which Philip Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record and Wild Card berth, older quarterbacks have not been the answer.
The expectation is for Indianapolis to enter 2023 with a new quarterback, and the franchise is primed to do so.
The Colts currently have the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and mock drafts are projecting the team to select C.J. Stroud or Will Levis. It would be more difficult to do business with a divisional foe, but Indianapolis could even create a package to trade up to the No. 1 spot (currently held by the Houston Texans) to select Bryce Young.
Ballard seems to have Irsay’s vote of confidence and trust heading into the new year. But clearly, Irsay isn’t afraid to make in-season changes, as we saw with the firings of offensive coordinator Marcus Brady after Week 8 and head coach Frank Reich shortly thereafter.
Given the disappointing results in 2021 and 2022, could Ballard have a shorter leash if next season is all the same?