INDIANPOLIS, IN: Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard stood in front of the media from the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine and answered a lot of different questions surrounding Carson Wentz, TY Hilton, new coaching hires and much more.
Here is a breakdown of everything Ballard had to say.
CARSON WENTZ SITUATION
Carson Wentz cost the Colts a first-round draft pick in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. Now, just a little over a year has passed, and the team is making a big decision on if they will trade, release or Keep Wentz for the 2022-23 NFL season.
In one year of play, Wentz posted 27 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions for the Colts.
Ballard did not know what the team will do about the Wentz situation, “I don’t know, we’re still working through it….Jim (Irsay), Frank (Reich) and I will sit down over the next ten days and figure out where it’s going.. Ultimately we will do what’s best for the team, for the Colts, both in the short-term and in the long-term.”
It’s no secret that Wentz has earned a lot of criticism from local and national media.
“Most of it’s pretty fair. It’ll be interesting to see how he grows from this. I think he will,” Ballard said on the criticism Wentz has received.
Ballard said multiple times they will do what’s best for the team and that Irsay, Reich and himself will sit down and discuss.
“There’s good discussion going on.. You can have a good relationship and disagree,” Ballard said. “Ultimately when we make the final decision we walk out all three together.”
This statement from Ballard made everyone in the room wonder, does this mean they aren’t all in agreement on the Wentz situation? Does one want to keep Wentz for next season while others do not?
“I don’t know if there is say “disagreement” but it’s something we will sit down and discuss.” Ballard answered after a media member asked if there is disagreement.
The Colts will probably need to make a decision by March 18, the third day of the new league year. Here’s why.
“At the end of the day Frank, Mr. Irsay and I will make the decision what we think is best for the organization.”
WILL TY HILTON RETIRE?
TY Hilton is not under contract with the Colts for 2022-23. Everyone seemed to be under the impression that Colts wide receiver TY Hilton, 32 years old, would retire. But it seems like Ballard gave us some different information on the long-time Colts receiver.
“I had a good talk with TY (Hilton) after the season, as of a couple weeks ago, yes, he wanted to play again,” Ballard shared with us. “We will talk again, and TY can still play.”
If Hilton elects to play next season, then he has two options. Sign a new contract with the Colts or find a new team to play for.
Hilton has played for the Colts since he was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
NOT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS
This is still a touchy subject for Colts’ fans, but the Colts failed to make the playoffs this past season. Indianapolis was riding a three-game winning streak. Beating the likes of the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots.
All the Colts had to do was win one of their final two games againsts the Las Vegas Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars. They did not do that. They lost both games.
It still bothers Ballard, but he isn’t just focused on those last two games. The Colts fumbled away multiple games throughout the 2021-22 NFL season.
“It still bothers me. But we lost to Baltimore in overtime a game I thought we should have finished. We lost to Tennessee in overtime. We fumbled twice inside the one against the Rams. I know our pass rush needs to be better, but Tampa ran the ball right down our throat to win the game,” Ballard said from the Combine. “We had other opportunities during the season to get wins that we just didn’t get it done.
This was probably my favorite quote from Ballard. Remembering the details on how every single close game was loss.
COMBINE BEING BACK IN INDIANAPOLIS
The future of the NFL Combine staying in Indianapolis is a giant question mark. Ballard doesn’t think anyone could do it any better than the way Indianapolis does it.
Ballard opened his media session making what seemed to be a case for the Combine staying in Indianapolis.
“They do a tremendous job navigating both what the NFL wants, what our fans need and this growing event of the Combine. And it is great to be back. And can’t have a better city to do it in. We’ll see where it ends up in the future, but I’d be hard pressed to find another city that does it any better,” Ballard said on the Combine taking place in Indianapolis.
NEED PLAYMAKERS BUT….
Seems like Ballard might have given us a look into what the offseason plans might be for the Colts. Playmakers and the ability to block for the QB.
“You want as many playmakers as you can get…Which I think we’ve got three really good ones. Jonathan Taylor, who I think’s elite. (Michael) Pittman, who I think’s really good and Nyheim Hines.” Ballard then goes on to speak on another important position they need.
“We need to add some more weapons. At my core you’ve got to be able to block people. And I think one of the number one thing for the quarterback to feel comfortable is he’s got to feel protected.”
Ballard hinting the offensive line needs to be better, which could mean that’s another position the Colts are looking at in free agency and during the draft process.
IS ANYONE UNTOUCHABLE IN TRADE TALKS?
Short and sweet, Ballard said this on the topic.
“I don’t ever want to say anybody’s ever untouchable. We have players that we think a lot of that are a big part of our future. But I don’t know if anybody’s untouchable. We will do what we think is best to win, both in the short and the long-term.”
NEW DEFENSIVE HIRES
New Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley
Ballard: “It’s a very similar base system that we were running with Matt (Eberflus). Same tree, little different flavor. Still the emphasis on effort, speed, fundamentals, taking the ball away. All those things that we’ve talked about in the past… I think Gus will be a great addition.”
Cato June (Started for the Colts during the 2006 Super Bowl)
Ballard: “Cato June, who I thinks got a really bright future and who has absolutely grinded to get where he is today. He’s coached for 10 years at both small schools and worked his way up and earned this opportunity.
Mike Mitchell (Played for the 2018 Colts)
Ballard: “Mike Mitchell, who I knew back in 2018 the way he worked with our players, watching him on a daily basis coach them and held guide them. I think Mike Mitchell is going to be an outstanding addition to this staff.”
LIVE REPORT FROM NFL SCOUTING COMBINE WITH CHRIS BALLARD AUDIO