Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard has held his title since 2017. It's safe to say there have been highs and lows. But at the quarterback position, lows have been more frequent as Ballard only got one season of play out of quarterback Andrew Luck.

The rest of it has been a very bumpy road for the Colts GM. Ballard has desperately looked for answers at quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and most recently, Matt Ryan.

The results have been uninspiring.

So now that the Colts hold the fourth overall pick in a rookie class loaded with quarterbacks, it's win or go home for the GM.

"The second that guy doesn’t play well? I’m gonna be the first one run out of the building," Ballard told reporters back in 2021 when discussing the position.

But that year, the stakes were lower. The Colts held the 21st overall pick in the Draft. After Mac Jones was picked 15th overall, the following quarterback off the board was Kellen Mond in the third round.

This time, there's little excuse. They pick fourth overall and could trade up for their guy, too.

Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis aren't perfect prospects. But they're probably the best shot you're going to get any time soon. They certainly seem like Ballard's last opportunity of sticking around.

So when thinking of the QB position for the Colts, keep in mind that the GM is making a decision that could cost him his job in Indy.

That's part of the reason why Dane Brugler's latest mock draft for The Athletic is so intriguing. In it, he has the Colts jumping to No. 1 and taking…

C.J. Stroud, QB. Ohio State.

Here's what Brugler says about the selection:

The speculation during combine week wasn’t about whether or not the Colts will draft a quarterback, it was: Which QB they will take? And how much will it cost?

The members of the triumvirate in charge of that decision each brings a differing perspective. Shane Steichen is entering his first draft as a head coach, Chris Ballard knows this could be his final draft as general manager if the wrong pick is made, and owner Jim Irsay is the wild card (as usual). Stroud might be the quarterback that’s the most comfortable choice for each person there. He is ready to compete for the starting job from Day 1 and his natural accuracy gives him a high floor as an NFL passer. (The Athletic’s Zak Keefer had similar thoughts from the combine.)

Many have recognized that although Anthony Richardson's testing stole the show, Stroud helped his draft stock thanks to his throwing session.

In this simulated scenario by one of the most prominent NFL Draft analysts, the Colts give up picks No. 4, No. 35, and a 2024 first-rounder. 

That sounds like an expensive trade. But if the Colts get their quarterback (and the guy calling the shots saves his job), people will be happy in Indianapolis.

You can check out Brugler's full mock draft here.