Now eliminated from playoff contention, the big question facing the Indianapolis Colts revolves around the future of general manager Chris Ballard.
Following a hot start to the 2025 season, which included going into the bye week at 8-2, the Colts have since lost six games in a row.
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Injuries have certainly been a factor that this team has had to navigate, but as we reach the conclusion of Ballard’s ninth season at the helm, he still has very little to show for it.
During that span, the Colts have two playoff appearances — and none since 2020 — one playoff win and no division titles.
So what are ESPN NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler hearing about Ballard’s job status?
Graziano was in Indianapolis recently and still does not have a good feel for whether Ballard stays or goes. However, his guess is that Ballard sticks around.
“I was in Indianapolis on Sunday, and no one there seems to know for sure where things are headed following the Colts’ late-season collapse,” Graziano wrote. … “I think Ballard sticks around, but people are asking about him a lot these days.”
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Fowler adds that he has spoken to some around the league who wonder if Ballard would go over head coach Shane Steichen.
The general consensus from those whom Fowler has talked to seems to be that Ballard returns.
“The Colts had a good thing going for 10 games before the injuries, so that factors in, too,” Fowler wrote. “Most people I’ve talked to are leaning toward Ballard’s job being safe.”
Another offseason filled with question marks awaits the Indianapolis Colts.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Will Colts’ Chris Ballard return? What NFL insiders are hearing