Colts GM Chris Ballard makes his stance 100% clear on Keenan Allen’s arrest, but the NFL might not see things the same way
The Indianapolis Colts had a busy weekend, with roster cuts, trades, and even the arrest of highly anticipated wide receiver Keenan Allen. Here is what GM Chris Ballard had to say about the situation.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard addressed the arrest of wide receiver Keenan Allen over the weekend, and he made his position abundantly clear. Ballard, like every other GM across the NFL, spent the weekend trimming his roster from 90 to 53 players. He was making trades, trying to solidify his initial 53-man roster. Then, right in the middle of all that, his newly signed wide receiver was arrested.
Allen was allegedly found intoxicated in his vehicle and was subsequently taken into custody. He was released from jail a few days later, and Ballard was asked about the situation at his press conference.
Keenan Allen Facts
- 3rd-round pick in 2013 NFL Draft.
- Played 12 years with the Chargers, 1 year with the Bears
- 6x Pro Bowler
Ballard vouches for Allen’s character
Ballard pointed to Allen’s long track record in the league, noting the 14-year veteran had no prior incidents over the course of his career. Ballard said Allen comes highly regarded by quarterback Philip Rivers and Colts coach Shane Steichen, both of whom were with Allen in Los Angeles. Ballard made it clear that the team stands by him, acknowledged he made a mistake, and indicated the organization is ready to move on.
The truth is, it would have been more surprising if Ballard had done anything differently. You don’t really expect the GM of the Colts, or any team for that matter, to throw their guy under the bus in this type of situation. That’s not how front offices operate when a player has the kind of reputation Allen has built over nearly a decade and a half.
What comes next for Allen and the Colts
The bigger question is how the NFL views the situation. Allen could face up to a 3-game suspension, though the league has not yet announced any discipline. He was not placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, which is obviously good news for Allen, the Colts, and their fans.
You could argue that the timing of the incident relative to when the exempt list was released played a factor in why he wasn’t included. But as it stands right now, there is no clarity on whether Allen will be suspended or for how long.
What we do know is that Indianapolis kept Allen on its 53-man roster. The Colts plan for him to be an integral part of their offense, and the GM is standing firmly behind him. Whether the league ultimately agrees with that timeline remains to be seen, but for now, the Colts are betting on the veteran’s track record over one ugly weekend.
