The Indianapolis Colts still have an outside chance to make the postseason. The team needs the Houston Texans to lose on Saturday, and Indy needs to win out. Chances are slim, but still exist.
If Houston defeats the Los Angeles Chargers, though, Indianapolis's season is basically done. The last two games could have meaning, however. Even if the Colts lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17, the final game could have real value, especially for Ballard.
The thinking is that while some argue that Indy's GM of nine years can build up some roster spots with quality, what he hasn't been able to do is draft a good quarterback. Anthony Richardson was the fourth overall pick in 2023, but Richardson has been a bust for many reasons.
After Daniel Jones was hurt in Week 14, the team signed long-retired Philip Rivers in hopes the future Pro Football Hall of Famer could keep the offense just efficient enough to steal some victories. Through the two games he has started, Rivers has been stunningly decent, but the team has continued to lose.
Indianapolis Colts should give Riley Leonard a chance in the last two games of the season
Whether the Texans win in Week 17 or not, in at least one of the final two games of the season, the Colts will likely have a chance to start quarterback Riley Leonard. If Indy has no chance for the postseason, the team should make a turn to see which players might help them in the future. That won't be Rivers, who almost certainly goes back into retirement after the season.
Leonard, however, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2025 who was a great leader at Notre Dame but had questionable accuracy. He hasn't gotten much of a chance to play this season, but after Jones was injured against the Jaguars in Week 14, Leonard finished the game and was, well...fine.
Whenever Indianapolis is officially removed from the playoff race, which, unfortunately, is likely to be either Saturday when the Texans play the Chargers or Sunday when Indy plays Jacksonville, instead of playing Rivers, the Colts should play Leonard. If nothing else, getting reps in real game action is only going to help him in the future.
Plus, as Rivers and Leonard had a previous working relationship before the season, having the older quarterback around for a game or two is going to help the younger one. The Indianapolis Colts must prepare for the future, and Chris Ballard seems to ensure that happens.