Ballard has a lot to consider as the NFL’s free agency period approaches after the Colts’ unexpected 9-8 season, in which they were ousted from the postseason on the last day of the regular season. In head coach Shane Steichen’s first season, the Colts showed a lot of promise. Expectations are understandably high because quarterback Anthony Richardson, the projected 2023 No. 4 overall pick, is expected to make a comeback following a season-ending shoulder injury.
Will Ballard’s free agent strategy take into account the fact that the Colts are now enjoying an excellent season and are heading upward, in contrast to the previous year? Or will Ballard continue to view bold free agent signings with his typical skepticism?
Regarding free agency, Ballard remarked, “Everyone gets excited for that week and stamps a future Super Bowl winner off of that.” On Wednesday, the NFL’s new league year and signing period officially start.
However, what’s evident is that there are A-level players. What takes place with them? They receive a [franchise] tag. This is the next stage, where you have to pay ‘A’ money.”
Ballard has always been concerned about it, and it has guided his approach to free agency ever since he joined the Colts in 2017. Among his contemporaries, he is not alone; some of the league’s best teams have demonstrated a similar level of self-control.
However, Ballard has occasionally shown how crucial it is to sign quality free agents. He has demonstrated that one can succeed in free agency without becoming bankrupt. The Colts’ acquisition of 2023 signee kicker Matt Gay, who will cost $5.6 million a season, paid off right away. Gay made eight field goals of 50 yards or more, which was a career record.
Regarding the acquisition of defensive end Samson Ebukam, the same may be argued. With a salary that will average $8 million per season—much less than a top-tier edge rusher—he recorded a career-best 9.5 sacks in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts last season.
Defensive lineman Denico Autry in 2018, defensive end Justin Houston in 2019, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who had a strong season in his debut season with the Colts in 2020 before faltering a year later, are other examples of such signings in the past.
The Colts are currently at a bit of a crossroads; will they move forward or not? It’s obvious that they would gain from a few expansions in strategic locations.
The Colts have suffered as a result of their hesitation to use free agency in several of the most recent seasons. Consider the previous season. As he said previously, Ballard had his reasons for being cautious.
But the Colts might have been a postseason club if they had, for example, addressed their concerns at cornerback through free agency. Ballard largely used rookies and untested returns at the position, even after the offseason trade of veteran Stephan Gilmore and the indefinite suspension of Isaiah Rodgers for gambling offenses. When you factor in the unavoidable injuries, the outcome was as bad as expected.
Ballard was unwilling to commit this year, but he did leave the door open.
“We’ll be as aggressive as we need to be where we think we need to be,” he stated.
Undoubtedly, the Colts are in a good situation. They are expected to have close to $50 million in salary cap room, even after naming wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. a franchise player. League insiders claim that they have already discussed internally about getting a free agent pass-rusher and about Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who is looking for a trade and a new contract.
The Colts’ actions likely be modest splashes rather than large ones, if history is any indication. In any case, it doesn’t seem likely or prudent for a team looking to capitalize on its unexpected success from the previous season to sit out free agency.
