Chris Ballard might have just been granted a Plan B, but he should avoid the urge to choose that option. The Indianapolis Colts have a clear Plan A and don't need to look elsewhere. In other words, re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones and don't look Kirk Cousins' way.
The Atlanta Falcons reportedly will release Cousins on March 11 (the first day of the new NFL fiscal year), making him a free agent. The 37-year-old QB has had a solid career, but he hasn't been good in the last two seasons, both with Atlanta. Does he have a year or two left to play somewhere? Sure, but that should scare Indy fans.
Ballard has a history of giving washed-up quarterbacks an opportunity to start for Indianapolis. He did so with Philip Rivers 1.0 in 2020, Carson Wentz in 2021, and Matt Ryan in 2022. Ballard might feel a strong urge to add Cousins for his experience and have him be a bridge to 2027.
Falcons releasing Kirk Cousins should make Indianapolis Colts fans uneasy
He needs to pass and take a chance with Jones again. The problem is that Jones might not be ready to play early in 2026 due to tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14. He has also had three seasons end early because of getting hurt. The quarterback class in 2026 isn't good either.
Ballard might eye the future, believing that Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler with a career quarterback rating of 96.8, could lead the team to the playoffs next season while waiting to take the team's next long-term QB in the 2027 draft. The team doesn't have a first-round pick next year, but there is time to make a trade or two to get back into that round.
No general manager has chosen to go with aged veteran starters at quarterback as much as Chris Ballard. Only Rivers got the team to the postseason, however. One might have assumed that Ballard would have learned his lesson after Wentz, but he didn't. He might still not have, and might be salivating at the chance of adding Cousins.
The GM could even be thinking of re-signing Daniel Jones while also adding Kirk Cousins, knowing Cousins could start the season while Jones is still working his way back from the Achilles tear. That would only thwart the growth of Riley Leonard, who was very good in Week 18 against a great Houston Texans defense.
Of course, Ballard also knows he has one more season to prove he should stay working for the Indianapolis Colts. His team has to make the postseason in 2026. If he thinks adding the experienced Cousins will save his job, he might sign the QB.