No surprises happened when Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard met with the media on Wednesday following the team's roster cuts the day before. This is how press conferences normally work in the NFL. It is what the media and fans haven't heard that really matters.
Ballard had to know he was going to get a lot of questions about third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson is verging on being a massive draft bust after being chosen fourth overall in the 2023 draft. He was passed over for QB1 entering the 2025 season by Daniel Jones.
At one point during the media session, Ballard told reporters that they do not listen to him very well. He answered a previous question about AR5 and then got another. It wasn't the same question, but Ballard was going to answer it the same way. The wrong way.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has testy media session
The problem is that Ballard comes across like the epitome of a football guy. All gruff in manner, and a bit of a know-it-all. The truth is, he doesn't know it all. He whiffed on Richardson, who clearly the team has lost some hope in. AR5 has two years left on his rookie contract, but that might as well be one if Jones works out well.
Ballad confirmed Richardson isn't going to be traded, but also said that Richardson isn't done with being a long-term important part of the Colts. This, of course, runs parallel to the team giving Jones, himself, a first-round bust with the New York Giants, the most important job on the team.
Ballard said, "It's easy to say, 'OK, he's done.' I don't agree. I've said this numerous times -- I do not agree with that. I think overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way are good for anybody. I do. I'm proud of Anthony, of where he is at, how far he's come. He's come miles."
Has he? If so, why not make Richardson the starter? The team was clearly ready to do so the last couple of seasons.
But Ballard doubled down by adding, "There's a lot of value in sitting behind a guy that's a professional and watching and learning and growing and working on the things you need to work on without the same pressure of being the starter."
To be blunt, false. If Anthony Richardson sat behind someone like Patrick Mahomes, there would be value. Or Joe Burrow. Not Daniel Jones. The only thing that Jones will have been able to teach Richardson is how to fail because that's what Danny Dimes has done in his career.
And that is what Chris Ballard has done with Anthony Richardson, though he would never admit it. If the Indianapolis Colts' plan works out as stated, with the team making Jones the starter, AR5 will sit the entire year. This not only means he won't potentially start until year four, but he also wouldn't have played for an entire season.
Plus, if Daniel Jones does well, the Colts can't give up on him after a year. That would set Indy back again. Chris Ballard might know how to build the Colts at every spot other than the most important position. Unfortunately, this is why his job should be on the line.