When Jim Irsay died in 2025, the Indianapolis Colts had a clear succession plan. Irsay's daughters would take over ownership and steer the organization for many years. After one season without Jim, though, many fans might be hoping for a change.
As owners, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson can probably not look at what the Seattle Seahawks will reportedly be sold for and not think about how much they would get if Indy were sold. Maybe not the $9.612 billion that the soon-to-be former Seahawks ownership group is getting, but likely not far off either.
Many Indy fans might wish that the current Colts ownership decides to cash in on the team, putting a new group of owners in their place. The truth is, even before Jim Irsay died, the team was getting stuck in long-term mediocrity. Part of the reason was that ownership appeared to be afraid of making needed changes.
The sale of the Seattle Seahawks should get Indianapolis Colts ownership thinking
Chris Ballard, for instance, should not still be the general manager of the team. He might be a fine human being, and let's hope he is, but in his nine-year tenure in Indianapolis, the team has only made the playoffs twice. Ballard's team has never won the AFC South, while every other team in the division has taken the title multiple times.
The GM gets credit for drafting relatively well and building solid rosters, but how can this be when the team keeps missing the postseason, even when the head coach changes? The bottom line is that the roster isn't good enough to win the division or make the playoffs consistently, and that's on Ballard.
And also on the owners, whether it be Jim Irsay or his three daughters. Some blame for 2025's failure can be placed on key players getting injured, but other teams, such as the San Francisco 49ers, suffered numerous injuries to important players and still did well. Ballard just didn't build up enough depth, but when given the chance to remove him this offseason, ownership passed.
Seemingly, Chris Ballard, as well as head coach Shane Steichen, was given one more year to show he deserves his position, but he has been given enough time already. He might believe he won't get terminated even if the team misses the playoffs for a sixth straight season.
Why would he fear for his job? Ownership believes in him, clearly, or a change would have been made before Jim Irsay died.
Perhaps the best move for Indianapolis Colts fans is if the current ownership group wants the kind of money the Seattle Seahawks sellers are getting and someone else runs the team. Then, possibly, real and positive changes can be made to get the team back where it needs to be: Contending for Super Bowl titles.
Add us as a preferred source on Google