INDIANAPOLIS — While the NFL was re-energizing kickoffs by implementing a drastically new format, making it clear Christmas Day football was here to stay and angering defensive players by outlawing hip-drop tackles, Chris Ballard took time to offer his perspective on the Indianapolis Colts’ unfinished offseason work.
The long-time general manager met Tuesday with several members of the Indy media, along with Colts.com, who attended the owners’ meetings in Orlando, Fla., and touched on several areas of interest. In full disclosure, I was not in attendance.
Ballard fielded questions ranging from the decision to re-sign a slew of his own players, to interest in other team’s free agents, to second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Here’s a sampling:
Rewarding his own
*Context: After exploring and failing to sign a few high-profile players, the Colts largely concentrated on their own. That included six prominent players: wideout Michael Pittman Jr. (three years, $70 million, which replaced the franchise tag), linebacker Zaire Franklin (a three-year, $31.25 million extension), cornerback Kenny Moore II (three years, $30 million), defensive tackle Grover Stewart (three years, $39 million), defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis (two years, $12 million) and punter Rigoberto Sanchez (three years, $7.5 million).
That’s roughly $190 million in total contract values with approximately $118 million guaranteed.
*Ballard: “We did spend. We just didn’t spend on the outside names. That’s where I go into, ‘Who?’ Everybody (says), ‘OK, go spend.’ ‘Who?’ And that’s OK. That’s what makes our game great is you get to talk about it, debate it.
“Different is not always better.’’
Veteran free agency
*Context: The Colts signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco (a one-year contract worth a maximum of $8.7 million) and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (two years, $14 million). Ballard also had serious interest in Minnesota edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who signed a two-year, $49 million contract with AFC South rival Houston, and some level of interest in trading for Kansas City cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported, citing a team source, the Colts offered Hunter more. The Tennessee Titans acquired Sneed in a trade.
*Ballard: “No doubt we looked into free agency in totality. I mean, we looked at everybody. It kind of worked out where it ended up being a lot of our own guys, which are all good players.
“I think sometimes (what) gets lost is when you lose a player, it creates a void. So, you lose a Grover Stewart, you lose a Kenny Moore or you lose a Pittman, now you’ve got a real void.
“I think any time you can keep continuity in your own players is a good thing . . . because you know what you’re getting in the player. It’s always easy to look outside and think automatically that no doubt this guy’s going to be an upgrade. But there’s usually a reason they hit free agency.’’
Secondary concerns
*Context: There remains a glaring lack of proven depth at outside cornerback — Moore is one of the league’s premier nickel backs — and safety. JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones saw extensive action at corner as rookies, and Dallis Flowers missed the final 13 games with an Achilles injury. The top returning safeties include Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II and Daniel Scott. The latter missed his rookie season after tearing an ACL in June.
It's still possible the Colts re-sign safety Julian Blackmon, a 15-game starter last season who’s had free-agent visits with Buffalo and San Francisco.
It’s also possible Ballard will use the No. 15 overall pick in the April 25 draft on a cornerback.
*Ballard: “We know we need to add and there’s still some vets out there that we will definitely pay attention to. But there’s still work to be done.
“But I like our three young corners. JuJu’s gotta be healthy. We gotta get Dallis back healthy. We think we will. . . . I think we underestimate what Jones did. I thought Jones played really good football last year and did it against some very talented wideouts and never once backed down. He’s going to continue to get better.’’
Anthony Richardson
*Context: The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft saw his rookie season limited to four starts and 173 snaps because of a concussion and a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. Richardson began throwing in February and is expected to be ready to participate at some level when the Colts’ offseason workout program opens in mid-April.
*Ballard: “It sucked that he got hurt. But the positive was, he was able to take a step back and watch. That’s valuable. It is. I mean, it sucks he wasn’t getting reps during the week and live game reps. But to be able to sit back and watch and see in-game situations, that is very valuable.
“Do I expect some bumps (in 2024)? Absolutely, I do. But I think even any second-year quarterback, even if they play better, it’s not like it’s going to be 17 games of elite play. They’re going to still have some moments. Now, the league’s had a year to study them. They adjust to that, too. I’m excited about where Anthony is.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter/X at @mchappell51.