Chris Ballard is entering his eighth season with the Indianapolis Colts. Will this be his last year in Indy?
The Colts hired Ballard in January 2017. Since then, the team has posted a losing 54-60-1 record. They’ve made two playoff appearances but none in the past three seasons. They also have only one playoff victory and no AFC South titles under his watch.
Ballard was asked whether he believed he was on the hot seat this season (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder).
“No different than any other year,” Ballard said. “The last three years not making the playoffs, it’s a disappointment. 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. Either you believe in something or you believe nothing. It’s 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. It gets me fired, so be it.”
Ballard knows his days with the Colts could be numbered. If the team has another disappointing year, he could be sent packing next offseason.
Will This Be Chris Ballard’s Last Season with the Colts?
Ballard Hasn’t Had Much “Luck”
Perhaps a lack of a superstar quarterback is the main reason for Ballard’s struggles. When the Colts hired him, he had an elite QB in Andrew Luck. However, the former Stanford star would miss the entire 2017 season (Ballard’s first year in Indy) with a shoulder injury.
Luck returned the following season. He played in all 16 games, leading the Colts to a 10-6 record and a trip to the playoffs. But unfortunately, he retired out of the blue right before the next season.
Since Luck left, the Colts have employed a bunch of starting quarterbacks. The list includes guys like Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan.
Ballard drafted Anthony Richardson fourth overall in 2023. However, the dual-threat quarterback played only four games as a rookie last year. It remains to be seen whether he’ll ever develop into the franchise QB the team has been searching for. If Richardson misses a lot of time this season and the Colts miss the playoffs once again, Ballard could be let go.
He’s a Good Drafter
Chris Ballard is known for being a conservative GM. That reputation hinders the Colts’ ability to attract top free agents.
But when it comes to the draft, Ballard has made several wise decisions over the years. He has a knack for wheeling and dealing and finding diamonds in the rough. Michael Pittman Jr., Quenton Nelson, Shaquille Leonard, Jonathan Taylor, and Grover Stewart are among the players that Ballard has drafted. And you can’t leave out Zaire Franklin, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 draft. He has emerged as one of the league’s top linebackers.
Ballard put together a great draft this year as well. He came away with defensive end Laiatu Latu and Adonai Mitchell in the first two rounds. Both players could make a huge impact as rookies.
Ballard has been given ample opportunity to produce a winner. Yet, he has failed to have a ton of success. Again, the 2024 season might be his last in Indianapolis if the team doesn’t perform well.
Main Image: Gary A. Vasquez – USA Today Sports
