Will Chris Ballard win NFL Executive of the Year? The Indianapolis Colts’ general manager has received much criticism over the years. Many fans wanted to see him get fired this past offseason. But, obviously, the Colts kept him around.
Ballard made some great moves this offseason. And as a result, the Colts are off to an impressive 5-1 start this year. If the winning continues for the rest of the season, Ballard definitely has a chance to win Executive of the Year honors.
Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard Is Primed to Win Executive of the Year
Brought Indiana Jones to the Circle City
The Colts haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 season. A lack of an elite quarterback is perhaps the main reason for that. As everybody knows, it’s extremely difficult to win without one.
Ballard hoped Anthony Richardson, whom he drafted fourth overall in 2023, would become a franchise quarterback. However, that has not been the case so far.
Ballard, though, lucked out by signing Daniel Jones this offseason. After beating out Richardson for the starting quarterback job, Jones is having a fantastic 2025 campaign. The former New York Giant leads the league in QBR (79.9) and is seventh in passing yards (1,502). He also has four rushing touchdowns.
Jones was a steal. Ballard signed him to a one-year deal worth $14 million. That’s not bad at all for someone who’s playing like an MVP candidate.
After struggling during his tenure with the Giants, Jones has totally turned his career around in Indianapolis. He has emerged as this year’s version of Sam Darnold. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery for a quarterback to revive his career.
Jones and Co. have scored 194 points through six games this year. That’s the most any Colts team has ever scored in the first six games of a season. Kudos to Ballard for signing “Indiana Jones.”
Landed a Much-Needed Tight End
No, Ballard hasn’t been the perfect general manager. Yet, he has done a great job when it comes to the draft. Ballard has drafted several major contributors like Quenton Nelson, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and Zaire Franklin.
Ballard hit the jackpot in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting tight end Tyler Warren in the first round (14th overall). A superstar last year at Penn State, it was shocking that he was still available at No. 14.
The Colts needed a playmaking tight end badly. Last season, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory combined for only 467 receiving yards. Warren has 370 yards this season, all by himself.
Warren has already emerged as a star in Indy and is a Rookie of the Year candidate. Plus, he and Jones could eventually become the league’s next great quarterback-tight end combo.
Again, Chris Ballard has been criticized quite a bit throughout the years. But he has redeemed himself by signing free agents like Jones, Charvarius Ward, and Cam Bynum. And drafting Warren, perhaps the Colts’ best tight end since Dallas Clark, gives Ballard a realistic chance at winning Executive of the Year.
Main Photo: [Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar] – Imagn Images
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