Colts GM Chris Ballard sees Daniel Jones as close to and long-term reply, says QB has 'actually brilliant future' in Indy

[ad_1] Daniel Jones is recovering from a season-ending Achilles tear. He'll be a free agent within the spring. However Indianapolis Colts normal supervisor Chris Ballard sees Jones because the close to and long-term reply at quarterback for a franchise that is been spinning the wheel on the place since Andrew Luck retired forward of the 2019 marketing campaign.

"I feel it is mutual on either side," Ballard mentioned Thursday in his season-ending information convention. "I feel Daniel was a very good match for this group, and I feel this group and metropolis we're a very good match for Daniel."

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Ballard, who can be within the remaining 12 months of his contract subsequent season, is assured the Colts can work one thing out with Jones and his agent, and that Jones will ultimately return to type, even noting that the 28-year-old Duke product "rehabs like a wild man."

Jones, whom the New York Giants drafted No. 6 total in 2019, signed what was reported as a one-year, $14 million cope with the Colts this previous offseason. Then, in coaching camp, he beat out Anthony Richardson Sr., the No. 4 total decide within the 2023 draft who began 11 video games for the Colts final season.

Richardson backed up Jones this season till he fractured his orbital bone throughout pregame warmups at Lucas Oil Stadium main as much as a Week 6 sport towards the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Shane Steichen described the most recent of Richardson's accidents as a "fluke accident," which occurred whereas he was working with a stretching band within the locker room.

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The Colts positioned Richardson on injured reserve, and he did not seem in one other sport the remainder of the best way, together with as Indianapolis scrambled down the stretch to discover a alternative for Jones. They famously introduced a 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement. Rivers performed admirably after shut to 5 seasons with out an NFL snap, however the 8-9 Colts went 0-3 in his three begins and had been eradicated from postseason competition after beginning the season 8-2.

Ballard took a wait-and-see method when he was requested about Richardson Thursday.

"I am going to let you know this about Anthony," mentioned Ballard, who's going on his tenth season as Colts GM. "He is an amazing teammate. He is an amazing teammate and by no means sulked, by no means complained, was doing an amazing job as a backup quarterback after which he has a freak accident within the locker room."

Ballard added: "However he is bought to nonetheless work by the imaginative and prescient [issue] he has, and we'll see what the longer term holds there. A bit of little bit of dangerous luck. We'll type of see going ahead how that finally ends up enjoying out. Plenty of it should cope with his well being, too."

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Ballard additionally talked about how he was inspired by what rookie quarterback Riley Leonard confirmed in his two in depth appearances. He left the door open to Leonard doubtlessly serving because the Colts' QB2 if Richardson cannot get to the place the Colts hope he can.

It is clear, nevertheless, that Ballard's focus is on Jones.

"I imply I have been very said about while you're chasing the quarterback on a regular basis, it is laborious," he mentioned.

"Your margin for error actually shrinks down. And I really feel superb about Daniel Jones and the place he is at, the place he is going. Sure, he is bought the Achilles, however I feel Daniel Jones has bought a very brilliant future right here in Indianapolis. And look, there may be some consolation understanding that, OK, we all know we have got a man that is confirmed, that is achieved it and achieved some actually good issues. In order that does provide you with some confidence."

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Jones piloted an Indianapolis offense that bought off to a historic begin this season. He accomplished a career-high 68% of his passes whereas averaging a personal-best 8.1 yards per try.

Jones was extra correct and decisive beneath Steichen.

Ballard believes that efficiency is replicable in addition to the workforce's success over the primary 10 video games.

"Once we bought again from Germany, I would have advised you we had a prime 4 workforce within the league," Ballard mentioned. "I believed that. I nonetheless consider that. However dropping seven in a row is dropping seven in a row. That is not what prime 4 groups do, and that is actuality. That is the information."

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Ballard as soon as once more took accountability Thursday. He is aware of the stakes are larger than ever after one other 12 months of no playoff soccer in Indianapolis.

"It begins with me, and till we win — till we win massive, win a division, go far into the playoffs, there's going to be doubt," Ballard mentioned. "That is actual. I do not run away from that. I do not shrink back from that.