Tag: Ballard

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Colts GM closes door on WR Michael Pittman’s departure

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts general manager Chris Ballard closed the door on the potential departure of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in free agency.

Ballard, asked Wednesday if Indianapolis’ leading receiver could hit free agency if no long-term contract agreement is reached before Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline, was adamant the exit is already closed.

“No,” Ballard said.

“We’ve had talks with his agents. We’ll work hard to get the deal done. (The franchise tag) is a tool we can use. I’m not going to say we’re not going to use it, I’m not going to say we are.”

Pittman had a team-best 109 receptions, 1,152 yards and four TD catches in 2023. Using the franchise tag would guarantee a one-year salary of $21.8 million for the 2024 season.

Ballard remains in daily contact with owner Jim Irsay after his medical emergency, and said head coach Shane Steichen also maintains close contact with Irsay.

“He is progressing well,” Ballard said. “We won’t do anything without talking to him.”

Because of the lessons the franchise has learned with quarterbacks recovering from injuries, Ballard is tapping the brakes on 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson’s rehab from shoulder surgery.

“I learned a lot of lessons living through the last one. Forgive me for being cautious, and I know Anthony has made some statements. It’s important to be ahead of schedule,” Ballard said. “We’re here to pull the reins and make sure we don’t get too far ahead of schedule. He’s in good shape. He’s throwing. I’m encouraged by where he’s at, really happy about where he’s at.”

–Field Level Media

June 14, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) passes on the sideline Wednesday, June 14, 2023, during mandatory minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney-USA TODAY Sports

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor reports to camp, contract battle looming

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor reported to training camp to avoid being docked service time as the centerpiece of the Indianapolis offense enters the final year of his contract.

Speculation was rampant that Taylor might play hardball by skipping camp, but the market for running backs has devolved to the extent players at the position have gone public with their concern over the direction of the market.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that he remains open to a long-term deal with Taylor. He added the market for running backs isn’t in his control.

But Ballard also said in January at his end-of-season press conference that there are situations that call for breaking market norms, implying Taylor was one such example.

Ballard said the exception is applied “when you’re a special player and special playmaker.”

Taylor said last month he reached out to the team hoping to get the ball rolling on a new deal.

“We definitely have approached (the Colts),” Taylor said. “Hopefully, that they can see the value, hopefully we can explain the value, not that it needs explanation. But we just want to be here, like I said, to help the team, help uplift the community. We’ll see where things go. It’s kind of on them right now.”

Ballard also said All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who has had multiple back surgeries, passed his physical on Tuesday. Leonard is not yet cleared for full contact.

The Colts selected Taylor in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In three seasons in Indianapolis, he has run for 3,841 yards, including a league-leading 1,811 in 2021, when he was selected to the All-Pro team.

He has a career 4,643 yards from scrimmage to go with 36 touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colts GM downplays desire to deal for No. 1 pick

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carousel is not a winning plan at quarterback, that much the Indianapolis Colts have proven since Andrew Luck retired before the 2019 season.

But general manager Chris Ballard denied the Colts’ need to move up from the No. 4 overall pick to find a long-term solution at the position, especially if it means a deal for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.

“Everybody has already stamped that you have to move up to No. 1 to get the guy. I don’t know I believe that,” said Ballard, whose trades for Carson Wentz (2021) and Matt Ryan (2022) flopped, sparking a coaching change last season and mandate from owner Jim Irsay to get it right this time.

“There’s got to be a guy worthy of it.”

Since Ballard became general manager in 2017, single-season stopgaps at quarterback haven’t held up with the exception of Philip Rivers, who followed Jacoby Brissett (2019).

Ballard has used 53 total draft picks and selected just two quarterbacks — Texas’ Sam Ehlinger was the 218th pick in the 2021 draft and Jacob Eason was selected 122nd overall in the 2020 draft after spending time at Georgia and Washington — and has a tendency to seek value in free agency and stockpile extra selections in the draft.

At coach Shane Steichen’s introductory press conference, Irsay sounded more than enamored with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021, but at 6-foot, 194 pounds, his height and weight are question marks.

“Do we stay put? Do we trade up? There’s really many things we can do,” Irsay said. “The Alabama guy doesn’t look bad, I’ll tell ya.”

Ballard said winning quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes. The Bears draft first and appear intent on dealing the pick to a team desperate for a fix at quarterback. The Houston Texans have the second pick and head coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday the franchise “must add” a quarterback. Arizona has Kyler Murray at quarterback and the Cardinals pick third overall, meaning only one of the teams in the current top three needs a passer.

In addition to Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson are viewed as likely first-round picks.

Ballard asked rhetorically, “Who’s to say that we won’t get a good quarterback at 4?”

He was then questioned about what it would take to entice him to make the offer to the Bears to make the jump to No. 1.

“That we were just convicted. That this is no freaking doubt the guy,” Ballard said.

Ballard hired Steichen, offensive coordinator of the Eagles, as head coach in February. Steichen helped mold Jalen Hurts from second-round pick to MVP candidate in Philadelphia. Ballard said their success is a study in finding the right fit.

“The accuracy is one of the biggest things,” Steichen said. “I think when it’s third-and-8 and you’ve got to have it, you’ve got to be able to stand in the pocket and deliver a strike with a guy barreling down your chest. That says a lot about a guy’s toughness. I look for that on tape. The vetting process of it, the physical process, guys come in different shapes and sizes. We’ve seen Hall of Famers that are 6-foot, we’ve seen Hall of Famers that are 6-5. Again, it’s that “it” factor.”

–Field Level Media

Media members talk with Chris Ballard, general manager, Jim Irsay, owner, and new interim head coach Jeff Saturday, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, during a press conference at the Colts headquarters in Indianapolis.

Colts GM: QB tops lengthy offseason priority list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colts general manager Chris Ballard plans to interview multiple candidates for head coach in Indianapolis, including interim Jeff Saturday.

But his most important offseason objective was clear in his end-of-season press conference Tuesday: The Colts are ready to go all-in to find a quarterback.

Ballard was direct and self-deprecating Tuesday summarizing where the Colts stand after ending the season with seven consecutive losses and a 4-12-1 record. The Colts begin another January without a long-term answer under center, among other pressing concerns.

“I failed,” Ballard said, assessing where the team went wrong in 2022.

Frank Reich was fired as head coach Nov. 7 as the Colts installed Saturday directly from a job talking football in the ESPN NFL studio. Saturday played for the Colts during his career, including snapping to Peyton Manning for most of his career.

Reich had a 40-33-1 record in four-plus seasons and was 3-5-1 in 2022.

“We live in a world (in the NFL) where failure’s not allowed. When you fail in this world you get canceled and everybody wants your head,” Ballard said Tuesday. “And rightfully so in some cases. But if you’re able to go through it and learn from it, you can reach your greatest heights.”

Saturday won his first game, 25-20 at Las Vegas, but lost the next seven in a row.

He will be among the candidates the Colts will interview starting this week, Ballard confirmed. He also admitted owner Jim Irsay, who hand-picked Saturday as the interim coach, will have a heavy hand in any final decision at the position.

After finding a head coach, Ballard said he has to do “whatever it takes” to resolve the constant carousel at quarterback that has consumed the franchise since Andrew Luck retired in August 2019.

“You have to start at quarterback. When you’re changing quarterbacks every year, it’s tough,” he said. “It’s tough on the team.”

After trying stopgap options Jacoby Brissett (2019) and near-retirement Philip Rivers (2020), trades for Carson Wentz (2021) and Matt Ryan (2022) proved fruitless.

Ballard worked with Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles in the Kansas City Chiefs scouting department. He said Tuesday he won’t hesitate to make a move if the Colts, who pick fourth in the first round, feel the need to move up in the 2023 draft.

“We understand the magnitude of where we’re at in the draft,” Ballard said. “And we understand the importance of the position. To get one that you can win with and be right is the most important thing.”

–Field Level Media