Colts' Chris Ballard Says He Was 'Wrong' with Roster Strategy for 2024 NFL Season

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard took responsibility for the team's shortcomings in 2024 while addressing the media Friday.

According to Zak Keefer of The Athletic, Ballard said: "I didn't create enough competition on the roster ... that directly falls on my shoulders. I was wrong. I was wrong."

The Colts finished 8-9 this season and missed the playoffs for a fourth straight year, but team owner Jim Irsay released a statement at the conclusion of the regular season, noting that he would retain Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen for the 2025 campaign.

Indianapolis was among the least-active teams in free agency this past offseason, as Ballard largely focused on keeping the core together rather than adding from the outside.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., linebacker Zaire Franklin, cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive tackle Grover Stewart, defensive end Tyquan Lewis and safety Julian Blackmon all signed deals to remain in Indy.

That left veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis as the most notable signings from outside the organization.

The approach did not pay dividends, as the Colts went from a 9-8 non-playoff team in 2023 to an 8-9 non-playoff team this season.

After watching his team take a step back, Ballard told reporters that he "came to some real truths" despite being a stubborn person, adding: "You gotta look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself what's really going on."

Ballard also told reporters that he understands why some fans may be frustrated about Irsay's decision to keep him in the GM role, saying: "I don't blame [the fans] for being pissed and questioning ... they should. ... I need to earn their trust back. ... Anything I say, until we win—really win, and I wanna win big here—until we do that, I get it. I understand [the frustration]."

Ballard, 55, has been the Colts' general manager since 2017, which was when he took over for Ryan Grigson.

The Colts have made just two playoff appearances in eight seasons under Ballard, winning only one playoff game during that time.

Indianapolis had its franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck when Ballard took over, but Luck shockingly retired just before the 2019 season, and the Colts have not had a clear answer at quarterback ever since then.

In fact, the Colts have had a different leading passer in each of the past seven seasons, going from Luck to Jacoby Brissett to Philip Rivers to Carson Wentz to Matt Ryan to Gardner Minshew to Anthony Richardson.

The Colts took Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and he has yet to prove that he is undoubtedly the long-term answer at quarterback.

Richardson is 8-7 as a starter over two seasons, completing just 50.6 percent of his passes for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Solidifying the quarterback position is perhaps the biggest key to the Colts' success in 2025 and beyond, but if Richardson or someone else is unable to do so, it could cost both Ballard and Steichen their jobs.