Colts need a major culture reset, but will they be willing to make the incredibly tough decisions that would require
The time has come for the Colts to consider firing Chris Ballard and finding a new leader in the GM role, but will the team’s new ownership choose to make such a drastic change after missing the playoffs?
Following Week 8, the Indianapolis Colts were 7-1 and sitting atop the AFC playoff picture with the best record in the NFL. Now they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention before they even take the field in Week 17. A historical fall from the top, and now the future of the franchise is truly a mystery.
The team was already holding on to a merely 2% chance to make the playoffs entering Week 17. The Houston Texans’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, though, was the final nail in the coffin. For a fifth straight year, the Colts have missed the playoffs. The question is, where do they go from here?
After missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season, it’s time for the Colts to make big changes
Following the team’s Week 16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, I shared that it was time for the Colts to move on from GM Chris Ballard. Now that the team has officially missed the playoffs, I believe it is the first step the team must take to begin working towards a better future.
Some also think head coach Shane Steichen should be a part of the firings, but I have a hard time getting there. I think we saw the incredible offensive mind of Steichen during the first half of this season, and even in the losses of the last two weeks, Steichen’s coaching performances on the offensive side of the ball have been masterful.
That being said, if cleaning house is the only way for Ballard to be fired, then I would prefer that route over retaining this front office for another season. This team has missed the playoffs for five straight seasons and has only made the playoffs twice during Ballard’s time as GM. To make things worse, he has never been able to deliver an AFC South crown.
In addition to new leadership at the top, the team’s roster is likely to undergo significant changes. This team’s leadership infrastructure has mainly remained unchanged year by year, except for the QB position. If a new front office is brought in, I’d expect to see multiple veteran players traded off, especially with so many having minimal or zero guaranteed money remaining on their current deals.
Notable Colts veterans who if traded before June 1 would clear significant cap space
- Michael Pittman Jr., WR – $24 million
- Quenton Nelson, G – $18 million
- DeForest Buckner, DT – $15.8 million
- Jonathan Taylor, RB – $13 million
- Grover Stewart, DT – $12.25 million
- Kenny Moore II, CB – $7.15 million
- Charvarius Ward, CB – $6.82 million
- Zaire Franklin, LB – $5.75 million
- Anthony Richardson, QB – $5.38 million
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