Colts head coach Frank Reich praised GM Chris Ballard for how he’s built the roster.
The importance of an NFL head coach boasting a strong relationship with his front office, specifically the general manager, cannot be understated. How many instances have there been throughout the years in which coaches express their disapproval with the way their roster is being constructed? The list is endless.
Not only do those teams not come close to sniffing the postseason, but the situations almost always lead to one or the other being fired in short order.
For the Colts, the bond that Frank Reich holds with GM Chris Ballard couldn’t be greater. In fact, the former recently had some big praise for the latter, and his comments prove that the duo is destined for success in Indianapolis.
I’m blown away by Frank Reich’s rookie coaching job. The Colts are much better than I thought. Credit to Chris Ballard and the players. Happy for @JimIrsay
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) December 31, 2018
“As you look at how Chris has managed this roster over the time that he has been here, it’s been very measured, very calculated,” Reich said. “I was sitting there and I was looking at our depth chart and just going through some scenarios in my mind and personnel groupings and stuff like that, looking on both sides of the ball and looking at our specialist group, a quick note to Chris just acknowledging, ‘Man, just everything has been measured, calculated, poised, in reach. Let the game come to us.’ I just think he pulled it off really well.”
That quote should bring a huge smile to Colts Nation. The fact that the team didn’t crash and burn following the abrupt retirement of superstar quarterback Andrew Luck is just testament to how well Ballard has built Indy’s roster since taking over as general manager in 2017.
Reich going out of his way to acknowledge that just confirms that their relationship is rock solid.
This is the type of football @Colts Colts GM Chris Ballard envisioned and it should only get better, no matter how this game ends. Ballard and Frank Reich never let Andrew Luck's sudden retirement become a crutch.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 7, 2019
Is there currently uncertainty at the QB position? Sure, but Philip Rivers was only signed as a stop-gap before the Colts throw big money at a legitimate star next offseason when the bloated contracts of the 38-year-old and Jacoby Brissett come off the payroll.
The fact of the matter is that Indianapolis’ future is as bright as any franchise in the NFL, and it all starts with the affinity that Reich and Ballard have for one another.