Colts: Frank Reich and Chris Ballard extensions show long-term faith in leadership

With general manger Chris Ballard pulling the strings of the roster and head coach Frank Reich developing a strong locker room morale and getting the most out of his players on the field, the Indianapolis Colts have the proper infrastructure in place to enjoy sustainable success.

With Ballard’s roster overhaul nearing its final stages, if it isn’t already complete, and Reich compiling a 28-20 record over three seasons as head coach despite a revolving door at the quarterback position, the Colts’ brass seems pleased with the franchise’s trajectory.

On Wednesday, the organization announced it signed Ballard and Reich to contract extensions through the 2026 season. The move comes just weeks after Indy announced promotions throughout its personnel department, so this news isn’t all that surprising in hindsight.

This is nothing less than Ballard and Reich deserved, and their respective extensions show unyielding faith in the Colts’ foremost leadership figures.

The Colts signed Chris Ballard and Frank Reich to contract extensions.

With so many key pieces — including Carson Wentz, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, and Julian Blackmon — dealing with injuries at training camp, Colts fans really deserved a pick-me-up.

Suffice it to say this news qualifies.

As fans might have expected, owner Jim Irsay’s fingerprints were all over this decision. After the extensions became official, the 62-year-old released a moving statement.

"“In Chris Ballard and Frank Reich, we have as great a general manager-head coach combination as there is in the NFL, and I can’t tell you how proud I am to have them leading our franchise. I truly believe this football team is on the doorstep of great things, and that’s because of the culture both have cultivated in their time with the Horseshoe. Whether we are marching toward the playoffs or facing adversity, whether we are building our roster or making a difference in the community, we have the ideal leaders in Chris and Frank.”"

This was a touching tribute from Irsay, who’s expressed his confidence in Ballard and Reich on countless occasions over the years. While the Colts haven’t enjoyed much success during their reign, they had to pick up the pieces from the previous regime, which included rebuilding the offensive line and building a championship-caliber defense from scratch.

With Ballard and Reich having finally identified the team’s quarterback of the future this offseason, a formidable offensive line in place and a budding defense that’s only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential, the Colts have a long-lasting foundation in place.

Now, it’s obvious that no one’s long-term future is on the line based on Carson Wentz’s performance in 2021.

It was Ballard and Reich that helped the franchise get to this point, and their extensions prove they’re the right individuals to lead this new era of Colts football into the future.

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