Anyone watching the Indianapolis Colts last season would have been aware that the team lacked a consistent pass rush, and the only player able to sustain some level of success in the area was Laiatu Latu. In 2026, things haven't changed. Von Miller could have helped Indy, but he agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Edge rush remains Indy's weakest spot on the team.
That happened on Sunday, a few days after Indianapolis played the New England Patriots in preseason Week 1 and offered little pass rush. Sure, the Colts were playing their backups, but Indy's backups aren't far off the talent level of one of the projected starters, Arden Key.
Indianapolis needs edge rush help, and that could have come in the form of Miller. Instead, like every other scenario this past offseason and in training camp, a high-caliber player went elsewhere while general manager Chris Ballard watched.
Indianapolis Colts lose out on Von Miller to the Dallas Cowboys
Maybe Ballard is happy with those players already on the roster at edge rusher. He shouldn't be, though, based on the production he has gotten from the group for many years now. He could have made a run at Von Miller, and had he been successful, the signing would have immediately upgraded Indianapolis's edge rush group.
Maybe Miller would have only signed for one season, which is fine, and he is 37 years old, but he had nine sacks for the Washington Commanders just last season, and he has always been great against the run, too.
Miller's agreeing to a deal followed the recent signing of Jadeveon Clowney with the Houston Texans, so two high-end outside linebackers are now with Texas teams while Indianapolis loses out.
Indianapolis Colts have no reason to trust Chris Ballard's overall football judgment, to be fair. While he talks a big game and presents himself as if he has won at a high level, the fact is he hasn't. He appears to be trusted by the only people who matter in terms of his job security, the Indy ownership group, and that is likely what he really cares about.
But he hasn't been a good general manager. He started his job in the 2017 offseason, and his team has made the playoffs only twice since then, and not since 2020. Ballard has never won the AFC South in his tenure. The team doesn't seem set up to do so in 2026, either. That might have changed with a few key moves, such as adding someone like Miller.
Instead, Ballard remains too passive and lets other teams get players who would help Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Ballard is busy having veteran wide receivers who have never been productive visit.
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