As the 2024 regular season comes to an end, the Indianapolis Colts will have to make some big decisions.
After missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, general manager Chris Ballard has never been more frustrated.
Though it remains to be seen what happens, Adam Schefter of ESPN stated on Sunday’s “NFL Sunday Countdown” that a change in the general manager role is expected in Indianapolis.
In addition to providing updates on the potential fates of Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, Schefter hinted at who might be a candidate to replace Ballard if they decide to promote internally.
“Another place where there is a lot of disappointment with how the season has gone. They are aged seven to nine. They have been eliminated from the playoffs. You know Jim Irsay and his daughters will be upset about this.
Schefter stated that he believes Steichen will return to Indianapolis. “However, it appears that there will be changes in that organization. People are wondering if it will involve the general manager, Chris Ballard. If so, Ed Dodds is on staff. He is close to the Irsay family. “Let us see what happens in Indianapolis.”
Dodds is the most likely choice if the Colts want to promote from within and keep Steichen while developing quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Dodds has been Ballard’s right-hand man since he became general manager in 2017. As a result, there is a lot of hesitancy because he helped build the roster that has failed to make the playoffs for four years in a row.
Having said that, if the Colts believe Ballard is the main culprit and Dodds can provide some new ideas, it would not be surprising if they went this route after interviewing candidates.
We will see what happens after the regular-season finale on Sunday, but there is a lot of smoke right now surrounding Ballard’s job.