The Indianapolis Colts selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and following the pick, GM Chris Ballard came to the defense of his rookie receiver. According to Stephen Holder of ESPN, "Mitchell, selected 52nd overall, had hoped to be selected in the first round but slid into the second round amid reports that he interviewed poorly and was a difficult player to assess."
Ballard didn't kindly to the criticisms of his draft pick. He went on a lengthy rant about people criticizing Mitchell, stating, ""I read some of the bulls--- that was said," Ballard said. "Excuse my language. Our typical league -- unnamed sources, bad interviews. That's such bulls---. I mean, it f---ing is. It's bulls---. Put your name on it. I'm tired of it. We tear these young men down."
Well, after that rant went viral, former Colts tight end Eric Ebron clapped back at Ballard on Instagram. Ebron accused Ballard of trashing his name and said that the GM said Ebron quit after he needed ankle surgery and went on IR.
Former #Colts TE Eric Ebron is not a fan of Chris Ballard, calls him the “worst GM ever.”
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) April 27, 2024
Safe to say time has not healed this fractured relationship😬
S/O @TackleBoxRon on the screenshot pic.twitter.com/XVPuZTy7zf
Eric Ebron claps back at Chris Ballard
The Colts signed Ebron in 2018 after he had spent the first four years of his career in Detroit. He had a good first year in Indianapolis, tallying a career-high 750 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He played in Indy for one more year before finishing his career in Pittsburgh and stepping away from the league after the 2021 season.
We'll have to see if Chris Ballard has anything to say about Ebron's comments.