Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard will have a very tough 2025 season ahead of him as he tries to salvage his future in the league. Since coming to the Colts in 2018, Ballard’s resume has been less than stellar. He has also suffered adversity within the organization. The franchise has struggled to find a long-term quarterback who can duplicate the success of Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. They have also struggled with coaching. Under Ballard, the Colts have had two head coaches, three offensive coordinators, and now on their third defensive coordinator.
Aside from the turmoil and inconsistencies within the franchise, Ballard has struggled with finding players to produce on the field. Under his management, the Colts have not won a division title. Through his seven seasons in Indy, they have only made the playoffs twice, and have won one playoff game back in the 2018 season, which was Ballard’s first year. Needless to say, the production is clear. The personnel that Ballard has brought in has not gotten the job done. Therefore, Ballard’s philosophy for running a successful franchise has to change in 2025.
How Ballard Can Salvage His Future with the Colts
Be Aggressive in the Offseason
For Chris Ballard to change his past ways and salvage his future, he must be aggressive this offseason. One of the biggest critiques is that he has not been aggressive enough during free agency. This is not to say that he has never made a big move, but he does not appear to make necessary moves in areas of weakness. For instance, the Colts have desperately needed a tight end for almost a decade and Ballard has failed to be aggressive in securing this area. The Colts have also needed long-term solutions in the secondary.
Ballard’s philosophy these last seven seasons has been to stick with the guys he drafts and develop them. Unfortunately, that does not always pan out. The Colts are seeing this first-hand as the starting secondary’s average age is 25. This screams a lack of experience and it has shown, especially in the last two seasons. The Colts have other areas to work on this offseason, but tight end and secondary are probably the biggest ones. If Chris Ballard wants to have any hope of a future with the Colts, he must be aggressive in free agency.
Win the AFC South
This is probably the biggest feat that Chris Ballard must accomplish to solidify his future with the Colts. Unfortunately, this feat is out of Ballard’s hands as it is completely up to coaching and execution. For a franchise that has been amongst the best since 2000, the fact that they have had a decade-long drought of not winning the division is unacceptable. The Colts last won the AFC South in 2014 with Andrew Luck as quarterback. Ballard was still with the Kansas City Chiefs at this time. Therefore, under his leadership, the Colts have not won their very winnable division. This has to change in 2025.
This is not to say that Ballard will be fired if he does not win the division, but this is a crucial element to being a contender. The Colts have not been contenders under Ballard and he has to change that narrative. The AFC South is a division that can be won with 10 games. The last three division winners won 10 or fewer games. The Colts have averaged 8 wins per season under Ballard, so they are close. However, they must get over the threshold in 2025. If Chris Ballard wants a hopeful future with the Colts, he must win the division.