GM Chris Ballard plans to spend offseason finding solutions to late-season collapses

Colts GM Chris Ballard said he will spend the offseason addressing the team’s recurring late-season collapses and refused to blame injuries for the recent decline. He identified finishing games and handling adversity as priorities and named re-signing Daniel Jones and receiver Alec Pierce among offseason focuses.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said he will spend the offseason finding solutions to the team's recurring late-season collapses. He declined to blame injuries or other factors for the franchise's second-half decline and five-year playoff drought. The Colts finished 8-9 after an 8-2 start and a seven-game losing streak to end the season. Ballard said the club will examine finishing drives, two-minute situations and how it handles adversity. Key details: - Ballard declined to attribute the late-season collapse to injuries and said changes are needed in how the team handles adversity and finishes games. - The Colts started 8-2 but finished 8-9 after losing seven straight to close the season. - High-profile acquisitions Daniel Jones, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward all missed time with injuries late in the season, and Ward is contemplating retirement after three concussions. - Ballard said re-signing Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce are high priorities for the offseason. - Quarterback Anthony Richardson threw only two passes in 2025 after Jones won the starting job, and Ballard described Richardson’s longer-term role as to be determined. - Ballard said the defense may need to get younger and faster while naming DeForest Buckner and Sauce Gardner as expected long-term building blocks. Summary: Ballard framed the offseason as a period for problem-solving, focusing on end-of-half and late-game execution as well as roster construction. Undetermined at this time.