Will we see a new approach by Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard in free agency this offseason?
Some NFL evaluators that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler spoke to seem to think so.
Every January, Fowler speaks with team executives from around the NFL and puts together very early predictions for the upcoming season–one of which this year has the Colts accomplishing something that they haven’t done in over a decade.
And within that prediction about the Colts’ 2025 season, Fowler dropped this little nugget of information:
“Evaluators believe the Colts could become more aggressive in free agency this year, which is needed,” wrote Fowler.
During his season-ending press conference, Ballard called his construction of the Colts’ roster in 2024 a “mistake.” What he was referring to was running it back with essentially the same team from 2023–a group that missed out on the playoffs.
To remedy this and drive away any complacency that may have set in, Ballard wants to emphasize competition, and adding it throughout the roster.
That sentiment would lead leave one to believe that free agency is going to be a bigger part of the offseason plan for the Colts than what it has been. However, when asked for specifics, Ballard wasn’t going to dive into that, not wanting to back himself into a corner, understandably.
And even had he provided an in-depth explanation, nine years in to his tenure, which includes no AFC South titles and not being in the playoffs since 2020, actions are way more important than any words.
If things are going to turnaround for the Colts, then they can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So being more willing to dive into free agency to fill holes on the roster has to be a part of Ballard’s offseason equation in 2025.
