The NFL scouting combine begins next week, and we will hear from Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen during the event.
According to The Athletic’s James Boyd, both Ballard and Steichen will be speaking to the media on Tuesday, February 25th. Jake Arthur would add that Ballard will be speaking at 4:30 PM ET and Steichen at 5:30 PM ET.
#Colts GM Chris Ballard and HC Shane Steichen will speak to the media at the NFL combine next Tuesday (Feb. 25).
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) February 18, 2025
This will be the first time that both Ballard and Steichen have met with the media since their season-ending press conferences in early January.
During that aforementioned season-ending presser, Ballard would call his roster-building approach last offseason a “mistake.” What he was specifically referring to was choosing the keep the status quo, despite the Colts missing the playoffs in 2023.
“Instead of really creating competition throughout and throwing new blood into the locker room, new players into the locker room, I said ‘you know what, we’re gonna run it back,’ Ballard said. “That was a mistake.”
To correct that, Ballard wants to emphasize competition this offseason and infusing that element throughout the roster.
Presumably, that means being more active in free agency this offseason, although after making only two outside additions in 2024–backup quarterback Joe Flacco and rotational defensive tackle Raekwon Davis– the words ‘more active’ are relative.
“We’ve got to be better about making sure that we identify the right free agents that can help push this team to where it needs to go,” said Ballard.
The challenge for Ballard is that as you sift through the current Colts roster, there are quite a few position groups he could justify adding to, to various degrees. However, as always, there are limited resources with the Colts ranking 18th in salary cap space and holding seven draft picks.
The general consensus is that the biggest positions of need for the Colts are tight end, safety, and cornerback. You could, however, also add the offensive line to that group if Will Fries heads elsewhere in free agency.
In addition to that, there will be competition at quarterback, and depth at linebacker–plus added coverage ability–depth at running back and defensive tackle should be on the Colts’ radar as well, whether that be through free agency or the draft.
(This article was updated to provide additional information.)