Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard met with the media Wednesday in Indianapolis for the NFL combine.
In the short time he was at the podium, Ballard touched on several subjects regarding the team, the NFL draft and the upcoming free agency period.
Here are five takeaways from Ballard’s press conference on Wednesday at the NFL combine:
Jack Doyle likely to miss OTAs
In what was the biggest news from the presser, Ballard confirmed that Doyle underwent hip surgery this offseason and is likely to miss the organized team activities (OTAs), which come in the months after the draft.
Doyle played in just six games during the 2018 season as the starting tight end dealing with multiple injuries. He suffered his hip injury in Week 2, which forced him to miss five games and then a kidney injury ended his season after the Week 12 win over the Miami Dolphins.
The hope is that Doyle will be ready for training camp, but the veteran is likely to miss the early offseason workouts as he rehabs from surgery.
Pass rushers must be versatile
Though Ballard didn’t get into any specifics about certain prospects they are keeping an eye on, just about anyone paying attention knows the pass rush is the top priority this offseason.
While scheme fit certainly plays a role in Ballard’s evaluation, he did mention that versatility is an aspect of a prospect’s game that must be present. The ability to move along the defensive line and get upfield from various spots is a trait the Colts have made a priority.
There are a number of versatile pass rushers in free agency and the upcoming draft, and that will always be an aspect Ballard looks to in defensive linemen.
No trade calls on Jacoby Brissett
Add this to the news that isn’t truly news. Brissett is still with the Colts, and it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere anytime soon as Ballard told reporters Wednesday that he hasn’t received any trade calls for the backup quarterback.
Typically a backup quarterback doesn’t garner this much attention in the offseason, but Brissett is one of the best in the league in that regard. There are plenty of teams that could show interest in his talents and given the fact the Colts could lose him next year without anything in return, there remains the chance for a deal.
However, the likelihood is that Brissett is going to be with the Colts for the 2019 season working as a highly-valuable backup to starter Andrew Luck.
Ballard wants Clayton Geathers to return
One of the more prominent pending free agents the Colts have this offseason is the hard-hitting safety in Geathers. After four seasons with the Colts, the UCF product is set to hit the market for the first time in his career.
Oft-injured, Geathers presents a difficult case for the Colts. He’s productive when he’s on the field, but he’s yet to play a full-16 game season in his career. Still, Ballard made it clear he wants the 26-year-old safety back wearing the horseshoe.
Ballard said he is meeting with Geathers this week, and it will be interesting to see if anything comes from that.
Dontrelle Inman, Pierre Desir could see free agency
The Colts like to reward their own before free agency begins but in the case of Inman and Desir, there is a chance both veterans are allowed to test the market before Ballard gives them an offer.
Both Inman and Desir were vital pieces to their respective side of the ball during the second half of the regular season. It remains to be seen what type of deals they will get from other teams, but Ballard seems comfortable enough to let them test free agency.
The Colts could still re-sign one or both of them before the new league year begins in March, but Ballard’s comments appear to trend toward allowing the veterans to test the market.
