The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up OTAs last week, which means they’ll go their separate ways for about a month before they return for training camp.
In other words, the Colts — aside from making one or two finishing touches — are likely finished formulating their roster for next season. Objectively speaking, their talent on both sides of the ball stacks up against some of the league’s best teams.
However, we can’t help but wonder what Indy’s ceiling would be if the front office wasn’t so reluctant to make a splash. This has led to GM Chris Ballard receiving more criticism than he’s grown accustomed to over his first four years, and rightfully so.
Taking that into account, it goes without saying that Ballard will feel even more heat from fans and the media if some of his offseason moves don’t pan out. In fact, most of them will be critiqued on a week-to-week basis next season.
These three Chris Ballard moves will be under a microscope in 2021.
3. Signing Eric Fisher
The Colts addressed their left tackle vacancy when they signed Eric Fisher, and the consensus opinion among fans is that this was a steal. After all, when healthy, the former longtime Chief is arguably the best pound-for-pound LT in the game.
However, it remains to be seen if Fisher will return to Pro Bowl form after he suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs back in January. The Colts obviously wouldn’t have signed him if they weren’t OK with his physical, but this move still comes with great risk for Ballard.
After all, Fisher won’t be ready for the start of the season, which means Carson Wentz’s blindside will be protected by either one of Sam Tevi or Julie’n Davenport for the first few weeks. While those players are better depth options compared to what the Colts have had in recent years, they’ll be blocking for a quarterback who’s coming off the worst season of his career.
Chris Ballard will face the music if the Eric Fisher signing doesn’t pan out.
As far as Indianapolis’ alternative options are concerned, they could’ve pursued lower-risk guys like Trent Williams, Orlando Brown Jr., Charles Leno, or Alejandro Villanueva.
Instead, they signed somebody who’s suffered serious injuries in consecutive seasons after he went the first six years of his career without missing more than two games. For context, Fisher underwent core muscle surgery in 2019 that limited him to just eight games.
So, yeah, the Fisher move will be under a microscope.
2. Re-signing TY Hilton
In a move that resonated with fans, the Colts re-signed TY Hilton to a one-year deal this offseason. For as much negative feedback as that signing received, the idea of Hilton catching passes from a more dynamic QB in Carson Wentz was enough to quell concerns in the interim.
At the same time, however, there’s still a chance this move blows up in Indy’s face. For starters, Hilton will turn 32 in the middle of next season and he’s nowhere near the same player he was during his prime. The nine-year pro also has a lengthy injury history — a catalog consists almost entirely of lower leg and soft tissue injuries.
Throw in the fact that Hilton was a non-factor for the first dozen games of last season and you better believe this is very much a risk. To put the former second-round pick’s struggles into perspective, he logged seven (!) games with 40 or fewer receiving yards and 10 such games with fewer than 61 receiving yards.
For Chris Ballard’s sake, TY Hilton better perform next season.
Taking that into account, we really can’t help but wonder if signing Hilton (for $8 million) over proven deep threats like Will Fuller and Sammy Watkins was the smart move. It’s easy to say in hindsight, but wouldn’t the Colts be better positioned to trade for Julio Jones if they had an extra $8.75 million in cap space lying around? You bet.
That’s an unfair way of looking at it, but some Colts fans will undoubtedly look at it through that lens if Hilton’s struggles linger into next season.
1. Trading for Carson Wentz
Trading for Carson Wentz was just as much Frank Reich’s idea as it was Ballard’s, but the fifth-year general manager had to approve of the decision, no? Regardless, any time you unload multiple draft picks, including a likely first-rounder, to acquire a seemingly broken quarterback, that move is going to be heavily examined on a week-to-week basis.
That’s precisely where Ballard falls with Wentz after he unloaded a 2021 third-rounder and a conditional second-rounder in 2022 to acquire the former No. 2 overall pick.
We hate putting too much pressure on Wentz’s shoulders, but it’s not hyperbole to say that Indianapolis will go as far as he takes them. That’s a terrifying thought after he finished almost last in the NFL in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating last year.
The success of the 2021 Colts will hinge on the play of Carson Wentz.
If we’re being honest, there are plenty of reasons to believe Wentz will turn things around. Not only did he enjoy his best season with Reich as his offensive coordinator, but he’s one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks the league has to offer.
Throw in the fact Wentz will have a formidable offensive line, a deep WR corps, and a prolific rushing attack and he has a great chance of becoming the top-tier quarterback he was just two years ago when he led the Eagles’ makeshift roster to the playoffs.
Bottom line? There are no more excuses for Wentz. If he doesn’t perform up to his potential, the proverbial finger will be pointed at Ballard and Reich for acquiring him in the first place.
While all three of these moves carry great risk for Ballard and Indy, the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, meaning Wentz was the only one deserving of the top spot.
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