INDIANAPOLIS — It’s obvious the Indianapolis Colts have a lot of work to do this off-season.
In his end-of-season press conference at the Indiana Farmers Football Complex in Indianapolis, Colts general manager Chris Ballard made sure to let Colts fans know he has heard their pleas for something to be done about the quarterback situation.
Nonetheless, at this juncture, Ballard said for now Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback going into next year. But, he explained the reason the Colts signed him to a short-term deal is so they could keep their options open for the position.
“The jury is still out, that’s why we did the short-term deal with Jacoby,” he said. “I think one of the biggest mistakes teams make is they force the evaluation of a quarterback. You can’t do it..”
Ballard said they will be sticking to their usual process in considering a quarterback either in the NFL Draft or free agency.
“Any time we have a chance to acquire a player that makes us better at any position we’re going to do it,” said Ballard. “Any position. Whether it’s linebacker, wide-out, quarterback, it doesn’t matter.”
As for the speculation that Andrew Luck may come out of retirement, Ballard put that to bed saying “Andrew is retired. We all need to accept that.” Left tackle Anthony Castonzo is a free agent this off-season and it’s being reported that he is considering retirement.
“We’ll see what decision he makes, “Ballard said of Castonzo. “If he decides to retire then it’s our job to find an answer.”
The future at the tight end position is uncertain as well. Jack Doyle will be returning next year, but Ballard confirmed that the team will “probably move on” without Eric Ebron. Ebron’s season ended on injured reserve after having had surgery on both of his knees.
The future isn’t clear for kicker Adam Vinatieri either saying they will wait and see after he evaluates and rehabs his injured knee. The Colts did resign replacement kicker Chase McLaughlin to a longer deal after his performance in the team’s last three games. That included a 50-yard field goal against the Jaguars in Week 17.
In the end, Ballard was adamant to blame himself for the team’s collapse after starting the year 5-2.
“I’m pissed,” he said. “I’m pissed at myself for not giving our coaching staff enough death this season for us to succeed.”
The Colts will be picking 13th in the NFL Draft coming up in April.
(PHOTO: Icon Sportswire/Getty Images)
