The Indianapolis Colts hired Chris Ballard as their general manager in 2017 and he's managed to hold onto his job for nine years despite one major blemish. The Colts have not won an AFC South title since Ballard took over as the GM in Indy.
It's pretty wild to think about, as general managers have had shorter leashes elsewhere despite winning division titles. Ballard continues to hold onto his job, however, and, according to Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN in their latest report, that should continue to be the case this offseason.
Graziano: "GM Chris Ballard has a good relationship with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, from what I am told, and while the Anthony Richardson Sr. pick seems to have been a miss, the Daniel Jones signing was a hit until he got hurt. I think Ballard sticks around, but people are asking about him a lot these days."
Fowler: "Ballard remains a moving target because he drafts well and builds good rosters -- but no division titles in nine years is a tough sell. I've talked to a few people in the league who wonder whether Ballard would be the first to go over coach Shane Steichen if Irsay-Gordon makes changes at all. But the Colts had a good thing going for 10 games before the injuries, so that factors in, too. Most people I've talked to are leaning toward Ballard's job being safe."
Colts fans won’t love latest update on Chris Ballard’s job status
This isn't a surprise, to say the least. Even though the Colts haven't been anything close to a powerhouse since Ballard took over the mantle at GM, the team was trending in the right direction this season until injuries reared their ugly head.
While the Colts ultimately didn't make the playoffs this year (a tough pill to swallow after a 7-1 start to the season), at least we all know exactly why that is. It's not like the team fell off a cliff out of nowhere. No, injuries became too much to overcome.
As Graziano alluded to in the report, Ballard might have solved the quarterback issues that have followed the Colts since he arrived in Indianapolis with the signing of Daniel Jones. Could that one move have saved his job? It sure sounds like he'll be returning for a 10th year in the front office.