INDIANAPOLIS – It was difficult – OK, nearly impossible – to pin down Chris Ballard on specifics during his annual meeting with the media during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Nearly is the operative word.
While strategically deflecting questions regarding how the Indianapolis Colts might invest the No. 15 overall pick in the April draft or which areas of the roster require the most attention, he offered one no-doubt, surefire, take-it-to-the-bank guarantee when Michael Pittman Jr.’s status was broached.
It came after Ballard’s 15-minute podium address and during his casual give-and-take with local reporters.
The question: Whether it’s on the franchise tag or with a long-term contract, will Pittman be a Colt in September?
The answer: “Yes.’’
Then a short pause.
“Yeah.’’
“That’s the old vet coming out right there,’’ he said to the reporter (OK, me), “and that’s the reason I answered it.’’
The playful banter isn’t the point.
The significance is that Ballard once and for all drove home his commitment, and that of the franchise, to retain of the Colts’ young cornerstones whose rookie contract expires in mid-March.
The point: Michael Pittman Jr. ain’t going anywhere.
The team’s leading receiver will remain a Colt whether it’s as the team’s first franchise-tag player since Pat McAfee in 2013 or with a long-term contract.
The tag carries a guaranteed one-year value of $21.8 million. A multi-year deal probably would pay Pittman in the $23-25 million per-year neighborhood.
Ballard has until March 5 to use the tag, and Pittman still would be able to negotiate with other teams to determine if someone might offer an outlandish deal.
“Here’s what I’ll tell you,’’ Ballard said. “We’ve had talks with his agent, who is really good. His agent has been doing it a long time. He’s really good at what he does.
“We’ll work hard to get a deal done.’’
The franchise tag, he quickly added, is “a tool we have. I’m not going to say we’re not going to use it, but I’m not going to say we are.
“Hopefully, we can come to an agreement and find some compromise on a deal.’’
It’s not a reach to speculate Ballard already has a good idea whether common ground can be reached, or whether Pittman’s asking price is unreasonable.
But he won’t be fretting over who will serve as the Alpha in the receivers’ room in 2024.
That’s going to be Michael Pittman Jr. Period.
Ballard reiterated his appreciation for what the 2020 second-round pick brings to the roster. Pittman is a frequent visitor to Ballard’s office during the season.
“We have an interesting relationship and one that’s really good,’’ he said. “It is no doubt honest. Blunt honest, which I like.
“He cares about winning. He wants to win. One thing you never have to worry about with that guy is he empties the tank. He absolutely empties the tank.’’
While Pittman’s status is Priority 1 for the Colts, Ballard touched on several other topics.
Anthony Richardson
The No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft was limited to four starts and 173 snaps as a rookie. He sprained his right shoulder in week 5 against the Tennessee Titans and underwent season-ending surgery Oct. 24.
Richardson began throwing in Florida Feb. 13.
“Really happy about where he’s at,’’ Ballard said. “He started throwing. He’s on a rehab program.’’
Ballard mentioned he was reluctant to discuss a timetable for a rehabbing quarterback after previously dealing with Andrew Luck.
“I lived through the last one and I learned a lot of lessons,’’ he said. “Forgive me for being a little cautious.
“I know Anthony has made some statements that it’s important to be ahead of schedule. We’re here to pull the reins to make sure we don’t get too far ahead of schedule and we’re staying with whatever the doctors are telling us. But he’s in good shape. He’s got a good throwing program. We’ve got good people working with him. I’m encouraged about where he’s at and where he’s going, and we’ll go from there.’’
Offseason surgeries
Right tackle Braden Smith underwent surgery to address an injury to his left knee that bothered him much of the season.
“Surgery was successful,’’ Ballard said. “He’s in good shape. Should be good to go.’’
Also, running back Jonathan Taylor did not require any procedure to address an ankle injury he sustained in the late stages of the week 18 loss to Houston. That wasn’t the case last offseason when rehabilitation from January 2023 surgery on his right ankle lingered through training camp.
“JT’s good,’’ Ballard said. “It’s great for him. He’s in a great spot. He’s healthy, which I think is going to make for a big year.’’
Marvin Harrison Jr.
The son of the Colts’ all-time great and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is projected to be the first non-quarterback selected in April. But Harrison will not participate in any on-field drills at the Combine and isn’t expected to participate in his Pro Day.
He’s confident to let his body of work at Ohio State speak for itself and concentrate on football-specific workouts in the coming weeks.
Is Ballard concerned other players might follow Harrison’s unique lead?
“Not everybody is Marvin Harrison,’’ he said with a laugh. “He’s a very, very talented player. Whatever decision the kid makes, then the club has to make a decision on if they’re comfortable still taking him based on what information you have.’’
Moving into 2024
At last year’s Combine, Ballard had just hired his head coach – first-timer Shane Steichen – and was in the process of determining Richardson merited being the No. 4 overall selection and the Colts’ quarterback of the future.
Things are different with those two pillar pieces in place.
“When you feel good about your head coach . . . look, Shane hadn’t done it, so you don’t know,’’ Ballard said. “And we’ve still gotta have Anthony prove it even though we like where he’s at. He’s going to go through some growing pains still. Let’s don’t just expect him to step out there and be Superman right away.
“But is it a lot a better comforting feeling you’re not going out chasing a vet (QB) and have to dump a bunch of resources into that? Absolutely it is.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on X, formerly Twitter, at @mchappell51.