Chris Ballard needed to be let go by the Indianapolis Colts. He had been the general manager since 2017, and the team had only made the playoffs twice, and not at all since 2020. That's failure. But Ballard might have done a decent job of adding young players this past offseason.
He better have, or Indy could be absolutely throttled by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. With a couple of stars traded and injuries to starting linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and slot corner Justin Walley, Indianapolis could be looking at starting at least four rookies.
The list includes left guard Jalen Farmer (who took the place of the outgoing Quenton Nelson), safety AJ Haulcy, linebacker CJ Allen, and likely cornerback Kapena Gushiken. Other rookies who could play important roles are wide receiver Deion Burks and running back Seth McGowan.
In Week 9, Indianapolis Colts could be starting a bunch of the last players Chris Ballard signed
Many of those players will be expected to have an impact well into the future, too, and not just against Dallas. Ironically, while Ballard needed to be fired after a decade of (at best) mediocrity, he might have improved the roster in his final losing season.
Does that mean he should have gotten a bit more time on the job? Not at all, but it does mean that he might not have left the proverbial cupboard completely bare. The Colts might have just enough young talent to help the beginning of the rebuild be quicker than expected. With someone else choosing with the draft picks in 2027, maybe Indy will be good again by 2028.
Of course, that is the hope. The situation against the Cowboys, who aren't exactly world-beaters on their own at 3-5 and are struggling defensively, could be a fortuitous one for the young Indianapolis players. They need to find their footing eventually, and playing against other bad teams should buoy that effort.
The Indianapolis Colts clearly have other concerns. The quarterback play with Daniel Jones has been awful. The mentality of the team is rather soft, and there is no indication that head coach Shane Steichen has the ability to toughen the team. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will be going up against a good offense again, and he could be embarrassed.
Or, thinking positively, before the November 10 trade deadline, Indianapolis could get an unexpected victory, and that win could help the young guys build belief. The team could be better in the second half of the season, led by young talent. Anything is possible, of course, even if one would argue that the situation unfolding is likely improbable.
What is certain is that with Davis-Gaither out, CJ Allen will get his second start and will be the green dot on defense for the first time. That was what Ballard hoped he would be in Week 1. Maybe the since-fired general manager was right after all.
Add us as a preferred source on Google