INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts’ general manager, Chris Ballard, is taking personal responsibility for the team’s failure to reach the playoffs once again.
As a result, he has pledged to adopt a new strategy this offseason.
During an end-of-season press conference, Ballard acknowledged the frustrations of team leaders who have voiced their opinions about the necessary changes, stating that he will reassess his free agency plans in an effort to create a more competitive roster.
“I thought we were playing really good football at the end of last season, but unfortunately, we lost a tough game against Houston that could have gone either way,” Ballard expressed.
“I believed we were trending upward, so instead of introducing new competition and infusing fresh talent into the locker room, I decided to stick with the same group. That was a mistake.”
This candid admission has been sought after by critics for quite some time.
Ballard has recognized that the team’s performance merits scrutiny, having led Indy to the playoffs just twice in his first eight years, with only one playoff victory and no division titles.
Despite this lack of success, team owner Jim Irsay chose to retain both Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, although he expressed frustration over the team’s four-year playoff drought in a letter shared with the public.
Shortly thereafter, Ballard indicated he felt relieved to have another chance, possibly his last, to amend the errors of the past few seasons.
“We must improve our ability to identify the right free agents who can take us to the next level,” Ballard stated.
“As it stands, we’re not close to achieving that goal. And let me clarify what ‘close’ means—losing on the final play of the Super Bowl is close. Ending the season 8-9 does not equate to being close. We need to acknowledge that reality; we are not good enough.”
Ballard’s remarks are notably different from those made by Steichen earlier this week, who maintained the Colts were on the verge of success.
If Ballard chooses to aggressively pursue free agents—an area he has previously been criticized for neglecting—he will have the backing of Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, a team captain who has pledged to recruit potential free agents to join the Colts.
Buckner did not hold back, labeling the previous season’s defensive unit as the worst he has ever played with in his career and called out teammates for allegedly prioritizing personal egos over team success.
He noted instances where the Colts’ defense functioned as individuals rather than as a cohesive unit.
Ballard concurred with Buckner’s evaluation, and changes within the coaching staff have already begun.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was let go, and the Colts announced that defensive backs coach Ron Milus and linebackers coach Richard Smith would also not be returning.
The future of several key defensive players whose contracts are set to expire in March remains uncertain, including linebackers E.J. Speed and Grant Stuard, defensive linemen Dayo Odeyingbo and Taven Bryan, and starting safety Julian Blackmon.
Other concerns have surfaced regarding player attendance at team meetings and rehabilitation sessions, raising questions about accountability among teammates.
Former punter Pat McAfee suggested some players were not being held to a standard of accountability.
Ballard defended Steichen’s handling of the situation, asserting that these matters were addressed internally.
“I don’t agree with everything Pat said. I really don’t,” Ballard remarked.
“But there’s a kernel of truth in it. Players are perceptive and can sense if something is off. So I constantly remind our team that while it’s easy to point out problems in public, we need to focus on being part of the solution.”
Ballard is determined to find effective solutions before players gather for training camp later in the summer.
“There needs to be some real pressure and discomfort in that locker room, where players genuinely feel that if they don’t perform well, their place on the team is at stake,” Ballard said.
“Ultimately, that responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders. It’s been a valuable, albeit tough, lesson that I’ve had to learn.”