Colts culture shift challenges means players no longer have guaranteed job security

“But the No. 1 thing we have to figure out, and what Anthony’s got to work through, is staying healthy,” Ballard said. “Like he’s got to be able to stay healthy. And that to me, is probably the biggest question right now, because now we’re going on two seasons in a row where he’s dealt with injuries. So, that’s the first thing. And then No. 2, being consistent, getting consistent down after down, play after play.”

When Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard held his end-of-season press conference last Friday, he made a clear confession that it was a mistake to “run it back” with essentially the same personnel from last season and acknowledged the Colts are “not close” to being considered contenders.

Another disappointing season was stamped once the Colts were officially eliminated from the playoffs. An atrocious Week 17 performance resulted in a 45-33 loss to the New York Giants, which signaled the emanating culture concerns are real. Good teams do not get exposed in a must-win scenario and run out of MetLife Stadium by the worst team in football.

“I hear the criticism, and it’s warranted,” Ballard said in his opening statement. “It is. And a lot of that falls on my shoulders. Look, four years we’ve not gone to the playoffs. We’ve not won (the) division since I’ve been here, not won a playoff game since 2018. I’ve got to own all that, I do. I’m not going to run from it, but I’ve definitely got to own it because it’s real. It is the truth.”

Indianapolis (8-9) not only took a step back in 2024, but the franchise faces the same offseason challenges it did one year ago. Instead of waiting until the season begins to search the waiver wire for depth in the secondary, the front office needs to identify which free agents can move the needle to make Indy an AFC contender. Ballard revealed that “instead of really creating competition throughout and throwing new blood into the locker room”, he chose to double down on his homegrown players.

“To our fans, I get it,” Ballard said. “I understand completely your frustration, and it’s warranted. Look, it’s a natural consequence when you don’t win. It is, and we’ve got to be able to handle that. I’ve got to be able to handle that, but organizationally we’ve got to be able to handle that. I’m still confident in my abilities. I’m still confident in the people I have around me (and their) abilities. Just at this point, we have not gotten it done. I’m grateful. I’m humbled, but I’m very grateful for the opportunity that Mr. (Jim) Irsay and the family has given me to continue to work here in Indy and get this right, because I do want to get it right for the organization and for the city and for our fans.”

The 2025 season is shaping to become a make or break year for the Colts. It’s uncertain where the franchise stands with its current signal caller. Although Ballard admitted he wished Richardson could have developed as a backup during his rookie campaign, the Colts instead threw the youngest, rawest, starting QB to the wolves. Ballard is not convinced Richardson is the right player to lead Indianapolis on the avenue of success, because the 22-year-old QB has “not proven he can play 17 games.”

Richardson has been so marred by injuries that he’s missed 17 out of a possible 34 regular season games and the Colts have shut him down for two straight seasons. The most glaring issue is Richardson’s league-worst 47.7% completion rate, which is also the worst from a starting QB in franchise history. Shane Steichen discovered Richardson was “drowning” under the pressure of being the franchise quarterback after his infamous tap out against the Texans, then benched him for two games due to a lack of preparation.

“But the No. 1 thing we have to figure out, and what Anthony’s got to work through, is staying healthy,” Ballard said. “Like he’s got to be able to stay healthy. And that to me, is probably the biggest question right now, because now we’re going on two seasons in a row where he’s dealt with injuries. So, that’s the first thing. And then No. 2, being consistent, getting consistent down after down, play after play.”

Ballard must re-evaluate how to construct a competitive football team. But who could be replaced? Aside from the interior duo on the defensive line, it would be fair to suggest there are several starters who might be on the hot seat. The Colts missed a league-worst 171 tackles, while allowing opponents to convert 44% of third downs into first downs and opposing QBs to complete 69% of pass attempts, which both ranked 30th in the NFL. A defensive unit that fails to secure tackles, defend aerial attacks or get off the field on crucial downs, cannot have job security. Instead of deliberately avoiding the open market, Ballard must discover the free agents that can improve this culture and lure them to Indianapolis by closing the deal.