What might the Sauce Gardner trade mean for Chris Ballard and his future with the Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts trading for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner may hint at what might be next for GM Chris Ballard.
As ESPN’s Stephen Holder noted in a recent article of his, Ballard getting the go-ahead to make this deal, which included the Colts trading away two first-round draft picks, doesn’t exactly sound like a scenario that would unfold for a GM who has an uncertain future.
Now, coming into the season, it was presumably a make-or-break year for Ballard, whose teams had a below. 500 record under his guidance from 2017 through 2024. The Colts also haven’t made the playoffs since 2020.
All of that now seems like a distant memory, however.
Led by Daniel Jones — an offseason addition by Ballard — the Colts have one of the most productive offenses in the NFL. And through 10 games this season, the Colts are 8-2 and sit at the top of the AFC playoff race.
“There’s a long way to go, but, right now, Ballard — who is signed through 2026 — seems a lot closer to getting a contract extension than being shown the door,” wrote Holder.
Along with Ballard, the addition of Gardner also seems to be quite telling when it comes to Jones’ future with the Colts as well.