As happy as Indianapolis Colts fans are about the 2025 season, no one expected this early outcome. The 4-1 start has been a wonderful delight for not only the franchise but the fanbase as well. The fanbase needed this season after the past seasons of disappointment.
The most impressive aspect of the start was the complimentary football that occurred, and it was at maximum strength last week. All three phases have made an impact so far this season. The offense is humming with this scheme. The biggest impacts are Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, and Tyler Warren.
On defense, you see the new scheme thriving under Lou Anarumo. They are creating turnovers and causing constant confusion to the opposing offense. And finally, special teams had a huge impact last week with the punt block from Segun Olubi. New kicker Spencer Shrader was arguably the best kicker in the league until his injury this week.
General manager Chris Ballard deserves more praise for the Indianapolis Colts hot start
With the coaching staff and players getting all the praise so far this season, there is one person who has been left out of the praise. That person is Chris Ballard. I know to some he is public enemy No. 1 in Indianapolis, but he must get some recognition for this season.
The biggest change that Ballard instituted this season was his approach to free agency this season. He went hard for the players he wanted and refused to be outbid. Ballard was known for sitting out the first few days and really going for the secondary players and relying on the in-house talent.
The problem this season was that talent was not delivering. Not to mention, his job was on the line after failed seasons; he had no other options.
For all his faults, he finally changed his ways and bet himself this time around. His arrogant press conferences had a different mood this offseason, and you could tell the urgency in his voice. As we all found out, he put most of his faith in Shane Steichen.
Whether or not you believe the rumors about Anthony Richardson, it was that duo that decided he just is not good enough yet. They went with an unproven talent in Daniel Jones. While only a quarter of the season, that decision has zero doubters anymore.
He also got off his normal script by bringing in two massive defensive stalwarts in Mooney Ward and Camryn Bynum. Both have been spectacular so far this season.
Now, this can be skewed a bit this season, as some injuries have hit the draft class this year. Offseason camp standouts Hunter Wohler and Justin Walley both had season-ending injuries. Outside of first round pick Tyler Warren, most of this class have (so far) been unable to carve out a role.
Arguably, the biggest complaint outside of not changing his philosophy and his arrogance was Ballard’s inability to let players earn their spot. He typically just plugged and played the guys they have on the roster and hoped it worked out.
One could argue that the Anthony Richardson project failure finally changed his viewpoint on his overall perspective of the job. He realized it was not working and that it was not fair to those players who are putting in the work.
He put his faith in Steichen and his staff and kicked the former defensive coordinator to the curb. He gave more structure to the roster and put his faith in Steichen. These decisions have arguably kept him off the hot seat this season.
The past few seasons have had more depression than happiness, and it needed a culture reboot. Bringing in a veteran quarterback to calm the choppiness from last season and a new host of defensive leaders has done wonders. The staff has put more emphasis on leadership and locker room togetherness than on making sure the rookies get some playing time.
Ballard always argued that I was damned if I do and damned if I don’t on drafting a rookie quarterback. He was 100 percent correct, and while Richardson did not hit, Jones (so far) has. He has not only brought us to the top of the AFC but has also been the leader of this culture change.
He is now primed to leave this staff with a massive decision on what to do with the future of both Richardson and Jones. If I had a vote, this is now Daniel’s team. Now and for the foreseeable future.
The record for Ballard is unimpressive, and most GMs would not still be employed in that continuing situation. Ballard finally changed his philosophy and, in turn, changed the culture. Is it too late? It’s very possible, but at this moment of the season, he deserves plenty of praise for recognizing his faults and adjusting.
The season is still young, but breaking up this developing core seems unthinkable now. This is a franchise rebirth that would make the late Jim Irsay proud.