INDIANAPOLIS – Past shortcomings had a dramatic impact on a few of Chris Ballard’s recent personnel decisions.
That’s especially true with a pair of upgrades in the Indianapolis Colts’ secondary.
More to the point, the additions of cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum are a direct result of Ballard not allowing history to repeat itself.
In the case of Ward, it was being committed to closing the deal on what was the most lucrative free-agent contract of Ballard’s nine-year stint as Indy’s general manager.
With Bynum, it was investing in a proven, experienced player at the back end of the defense.
Ballard addressed both players and why they were added to fortify Lou Anarumo’s defense during a meeting with Indy media Monday at the NFL owners’ meetings in Florida.
Each was targeted when free agency opened on March 10.
Each was secured in short order with significant deals. Ward signed a three-year, $60 million contract with $35 million guaranteed while Bynum’s four-year contract is worth roughly $60 million with $32 million guaranteed.
Ward’s departure from San Francisco nearly delivered him elsewhere.
“I really thought I was going to New Orleans,’’ he revealed last month during an interview with The Ride with JMV. “The deal was almost done and the Colts, I guess they realized how great of a player I am. They came in and kind of beat out the Saints at the last minute.’’
12 months earlier, Ballard was optimistic the Colts were close to signing edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $48 million contract. However, he opted for a return home and a similar deal with the Houston Texans.
Ballard was determined not to lose another top-level free agent.
“It got to the point I just said, ‘Hey, let’s get it done,’’’ he told Indy media on Monday. “Look, we had high conviction on Ward.’’
The 6-1, 196-pounder brings shut-down qualities to the Colts’ secondary. Ward said Anarumo already has told him he’ll frequently “travel with’’ the opposing team’s top receiver.
He started two Super Bowls and won one world championship with the Kansas City Chiefs and started another for San Francisco in the Niners’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII after the 2023 season.
“He was a priority because we think he’s not only a great professional but also a really good freaking player,’’ Ballard said.
Targeting Bynum was a result of not adequately addressing the position during previous free-agent periods.
“If I had to tell you one of my big screwups,’’ Ballard said. “You’ve got to have vets (in the secondary).’’
He mentioned adding safety Mike Mitchell in October 2018 and cornerback T.J. Carrie and safety Tavon Wilson in 2020. Mitchell was 31 and had started the previous four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mitchell, Ballard said, “was just a life-saver in the secondary that year.’’
And while no one was doing “backflips’’ over the signings of Carrie and Wilson, each “ended up playing very meaningful snaps for us and giving us a veteran presence in the room.’’
The 30-year-old DBs appeared in 15 games with two starts. Carrie produced two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
The Colts also had to deal with the sudden retirement of safety Khari Willis in June 2022. A fourth-round draft in 2020, he retired to pursue a career in the ministry after three seasons and 33 starts.
“We forget how good Khari was,’’ Ballard said. “That guy was a freaking excellent football player and decided another course in life. I’m always proud for a player when they decide, ‘OK, this is my life’s work.’’’
The Colts helped fill Willis’ void by signing Rodney McLeod, a 32-year-old safety who was a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles the previous six seasons. He started 15 of 17 games and finished with two interceptions.
So, instead of hoping the young talent in the secondary would emerge, Ballard and his personnel staff invested in veteran talent that’s already played at a high level.
The importance of acquiring Bynum was increased with Julian Blackmon entering free agency for a second straight season. The Colts re-signed him last offseason, but he’s still on the market.
“Getting a guy like Cam Bynum was important,’’ Ballard said.
Bynum, just 26, started 17 games in each of his last three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. In four years, he had eight interceptions and 28 passes defended.
One of the keys to the success Anarumo’s defense realized in Cincinnati was the play of free safety Jessie Bates III, who generated 14 interceptions in five seasons and 79 starts with the Bengals.
Anarumo mentioned the combination of Bates and a strong front – in Cincy, that included tackle D.J. Reader and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson – contributed to a playoff-caliber defense.
“Anytime you’re strong up the middle,’’ he said. “That’s going to be something that helps any defense, not just ours.’’
Ebukam update
Samson Ebukam is a wild card in the Colts’ 2025 defense. He led the team with a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2023 but missed last season after tearing an Achilles tendon during training camp.
Ballard admitted it’s always a concern when a player is coming back from such a severe injury.
“But when you know who the kid is and what he stands for and the effort he puts into everything, I’m willing to make that bet,’’ he said. “We missed his physicality. Undeniably. We missed what Samson brought a year ago.’’
Ebukam can regain his form of ’23?
“Absolutely I believe he can be an energy,’’ Ballard said. “Whether he’s a 10-sack guy again or not, I can’t judge that. But in terms of energy, toughness and what he brings every day, absolutely I think he can do that.’’
The Colts need to give Anarumo a more consistent pass rush, which was compounded when Dayo Odeyingbo signed with the Chicago Bears. That must start with 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Lati and 2021 first-round pick Kwity Paye.
Ballard had early interest in acquiring Hendrickson in a trade with Cincinnati, but the Bengals’ compensation demand was too steep.
Hendrickson and the Bengals are still at odds over a contract extension, but the Colts’ heavy investments in Ward and Bynum might be too much for them to revisit the Hendrickson situation.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.