What questions do Colts fans want answered at Chris Ballard’s end-of-season press conference?

Ballard will be drilled with questions from reporters on Friday morning regarding Richardson, Steichen, the next defensive coordinator, the results of his ‘run it back’ campaign, avoiding improvement through free agency, along with the lack of production from his draft class. The Stampede Blue community can relay some of the questions fans want answered at Ballard’s end-of-season presser in the comments section.

Indianapolis Colts fans have had enough of the mediocre results.

Indianapolis finished its 2024 campaign with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The Colts suffered another miserable collapse down the home stretch, punctuated by an embarrassing 45-33 loss to the New York Giants.

Colts owner Jim Irsay cleared the air just hours following the overtime win over the Jaguars in the regular season finale. Irsay addressed the team inside the locker room, then publicly announced on social media that head coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard would both be retained for the 2025 season.

“It’s huge obviously, to have the support from the owner moving forward,” Steichen said. “Got a lot of respect for Mr. Irsay and what he stands for and the person he is. It means a lot.”

Since Ballard became general manager in 2017, the Colts have compiled a 62-69-1 record, with two playoff appearances, one playoff win and zero AFC South titles. Ballard is under contract through 2026, though fans fired back seeking some massive changes in the operation. It’s time to admit Irsay not just believes in continuity, but he’s also accepted the mediocrity.

Indy’s starting quarterback, starting defensive unit and place kicker all regressed and failed to live up to expectations. Ballard chose to run it back with the same personnel from last season and did not sign any newcomer free agents who played at least 45% of the total snaps, including Joe Flacco. The 39-year-old veteran filled in for second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson in eight games and the Colts went 2-4 in Flacco’s six starts. The most notable player Ballard signed heard an echo of boos in what could be his final NFL start. Richardson has missed 17 out of a possible 34 games over two seasons due to injury-plagued setbacks, plus a two-game benching for lack of preparation.

There have been former players who have publicly ridiculed the effort and sense of direction, what is the best course of action to address that issue from the front office?

There were reports of anonymous current players acknowledging the franchise may have reached an impasse with no sense of direction. The Colts have not won a season opener since 2013, or a road game against the Jaguars since 2014. In that same span, the Colts have cycled through 14 different starting quarterbacks trying to find an answer to the most important position in football. Only the New York Jets (14 seasons), Carolina Panthers (seven seasons) and Atlanta Falcons (seven seasons) have longer postseason droughts than the Colts.

What were the discussions like with Irsay and Steichen that ultimately led to pursuing a different defensive play caller?

The Colts missed an NFL-worst 171 tackles in 2024. Gus Bradley became the scapegoat and was dismissed after three seasons serving as defensive coordinator. Over the course of Bradley’s three seasons, Indianapolis ranked 29th, 29th, and 24th in points allowed. After Ballard evaluated the roster he constructed, there could be starters who also may be replaced before next season.

How do you evaluate the rookie campaigns of the 2024 draft class?

First round draft pick Laiatu Latu played 53% of the snaps despite defensive end Samson Ebukam missing the entire season. Latu finished with 32 total tackles, including five tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and three forced fumbles. Second round draft pick Adonai Mitchell made just 23 catches on 55 targets and did not reach the end zone, despite leading the Big 12 conference with 11 receiving TDs in 2023. Third round pick Matt Goncalves made eight starts filling in at right tackle and fourth round pick Tanor Bortolini made five starts at center.

What is the next step the Colts have to take as an organization that would give the fan base a different feeling on the direction of the franchise?

Indy’s 2025 opponents were released and the Colts certainly face a tougher schedule than this season. Indy was given the easiest schedule in the final six weeks and barely escaped victorious against the awful Patriots and Jaguars. Any playoff hopes were obliterated in the Mile High meltdown and the Giants snapped a franchise-record 10-game losing streak to upset the Colts and earn their first home win at MetLife Stadium this season. The Colts went 1-7 against current playoff teams, so making the playoffs is not enough to be considered AFC contenders.

Ballard will be drilled with questions from reporters on Friday morning regarding Richardson, Steichen, the next defensive coordinator, the results of his ‘run it back’ campaign, avoiding improvement through free agency, along with the lack of production from his draft class. The Stampede Blue community can relay some of the questions fans want answered at Ballard’s end-of-season presser in the comments section.