Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard met with the media Thursday for the first time since the preseason, touching on several topics regarding the team’s direction.
In true Ballard form, he didn’t dive too deep into detail on the majority of topics, but he did touch on several of them. From rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson to players entering free agency, there are several notes to take from the press conference.
Here’s a quick roundup of notes from Ballard’s end-of-season press conference.
Chris Ballard: very encouraged where we’re going. pic.twitter.com/aO6dTB3Esn
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 11, 2024
Ballard says this year "probably was one of the more satisfying, fun teams to be around" even with the way the season ended.
Thanks the fans. Says they "deserve" to have the team still playing this week.
"We're gonna make them proud and get where we need to go." #Colts— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard says he believes the Colts have flexibility they haven't had the last few years, cites Richardson's rookie contract. "We'll be as aggressive as we need to be in free agency with players that we think can help us."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard says the #Colts "got disconnected" at some point over the past two years prior to this season. Takes the blame for some of it "with players I brought in here," but praises Steichen for getting the team back on one page this year.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard on AR: "We don't know yet, but we're encouraged by what we saw."
Notes there's still a lot of work to do, but it's clear how optimistic the franchise is about the future because of this QB. #Colts— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Richardson. Good young man who has a lot to learn. He cares deeply about being best player he can be and cares deeply about his teammates. very gifted. https://t.co/qFf8PDUtcc
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 11, 2024
Ballard on Richardson: "This guy's a legitimate passer"
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
I don't think Anthony's reckless by any stretch. Don't think Andrew (Luck) was either. Just has to learn when to take risks. https://t.co/WhwmRMkcdc
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 11, 2024
#Colts GM Chris Ballard on HC Shane Steichen: "Dialed in — always dialed in."
He says Steichen never has an ounce of doubt.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 11, 2024
Ballard calls Steichen a tremendous problem-solver, and extremely demanding of everybody in the building.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Gus Bradley is under contract for the coming season, Ballard says.
"In a little bit of defense (of Bradley)… I just said look, we were going to go young in spots, and we went young in the secondary. There were some rough moments in the secondary."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
We went young in the secondary. Rough moments. I put that more on me. Took our lumps but will pay off down the line. https://t.co/MkikVnWeb4
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 11, 2024
#Colts general manager Chris Ballard confirmed that DC Gus Bradley will be back in 2024
— Ben Arthur 🇬🇭 (@benyarthur) January 11, 2024
Ballard believes the defense will take a step next year as the team gets older
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard on Blake Freeland, says it's a little bit like Raimann, where Freeland got thrown into the fire and needs to get stronger.
Colts like the way Freeland handled it mentally despite some of the struggles.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Chris Ballard is professing a lot of adoration for Michael Pittman Jr. today. He said they're trying to get him back, along with other free agents.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) January 11, 2024
Ballard on Smith: "Braden's important to our football team, and when he doesn't play, it hurts us"
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard says the #Colts will "add fuel" to the CB room this offseason, but he likes the way the young guys responded this year.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard has no comment on TE Drew Ogletree, who remains on the commissioner's exempt list. Says the #Colts will allow the legal process to take its course.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard on the offseason: "We do think there's gonna be some opportunities to add some players that can make us a little bit more explosive." #Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard on Minshew: "Of course, Gardner wants to be a starter. … You wouldn't want it any other way."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard on the decision to extend Taylor: "Calmer heads. He got healthy." Takes a broadside at idea Taylor was overplaying injury. "You've got to be careful of letting your ego get in the way of making the right decision. … Jonathan Taylor being a Colt was the right thing."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard on the franchise tag: "It's a tool. I don't want to use it. But it's a tool. If we have to use it, we will." #Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard on JT:
“We’re about to see real greatness out of him moving forward.” #Colts @WTHRcom
— Dominic Miranda (@DomMirandaTV) January 11, 2024
On Stewart: "Grover's a guy we'd like to have."
That officially makes it mutual on those two sides.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard on Paye: Excellent vs. run. Has some stuff he needs to work on rushing the passer.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard on Shaq Leonard release. That was hard. It sucked. He was on that (Hall of Fame) track.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 11, 2024
Ballard on Jim Irsay. No elaboration. "He's stable'' and they're working through that.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 11, 2024
#Colts GM Chris Ballard on safety Julian Blackmon: "I thought he played excellent football."
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 11, 2024
Ballard on safety position: A ton of praise for Julian Blackmon.
"I do think we need to get more consistency out of the free safety position. That's not a knock, they're both young players. … We need more consistent moments from that position."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Ballard says Jelani Woods had some "chronic issues" with his hamstrings and never got a chance to show the new coaching staff what he could do.
"It's a big year for him." #Colts— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard, on whether he feels urgency: "It guts me. The last three years. … I feel better, but the last two years, it sticks in my craw."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
#Colts GM Chris Ballard compares Anthony Richardson's humility to that of Andrew Luck. Never wants to be viewed as bigger than the team, despite being QB1.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 11, 2024
Ballard attributes some of Matt Gay's issues to a hip injury, but says "We're fortunate to have him."
On ST as a whole, Ballard says he as a GM can help Brian Mason with personnel as well.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 11, 2024
Punter Rigoberto Sanchez is among the in-house free agents the #Colts want to bring back.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Ballard says special teams is an area he can improve with personnel. "We had a lot new starters on special teams." #Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 11, 2024
Steichen on possible surgeries. Braden Smith 50-50. Will have better idea next week.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 11, 2024
