The Indianapolis Colts shockingly decided to part ways with long-time head coach Frank Reich on Monday after a disastrous 26-3 loss to the New England Patriots last week. The natural follow-up to that was, will general manager Chris Ballard also be removed from his role? That appears unlikely after Colts owner Jim Irsay’s recent comments.
Irsay discussed Ballard’s job security after the Colts practically cleaned house, and revealed that he expects Ballard to remain in his role.
“Of course. Yes I do,” said Irsay on Ballard returning in 2023. “There’s no question about that.”
Jim Irsay when asked if he thinks GM Chris Ballard will be back next year: "Of course. Yes I do. There's no question about that."
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 8, 2022
Since joining the Colts organization in 2017, Ballard has had up-and-down results as the team’s general manager.
The team has made the playoff two times in his tenure, but many Colts fans have been extremely critical of Ballard’s roster construction at the quarterback position in recent years.
Their signings of both Carson Wentz last season and Matt Ryan this past offseason did not work out whatsoever. With that, the viewpoint that a new general manager should be brought in for a rebuild in Indianapolis is a common one.
Regardless, they will seemingly move forward with Chris Ballard and new interim head coach Jeff Saturday for the time being.
It’s unclear exactly what expectations are for Saturday for the rest of this season.
The former Colts offensive-lineman has no significant coaching experience, and a team that is led by struggling quarterback Sam Ehlinger at the moment.
The NFL world will get their first chance to view Saturday’s coaching skills next week when the Colts face off the Las Vegas Raiders, who — as Saturday is aware — are currently going through their own struggles.
