Kansas City Chiefs fans understandably had a lot of love for former director of operations Chris Ballard. The current Indy GM was directly involved with the franchise landing Marcus Peters, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce. Considering the love for the two pass catchers alone, the front office exec being a popular figure shouldn't come as a surprise. Anyone savvy enough to help land the mega stars that Hill and Kelce would become deserves a certain level of credit. However, there is no arguing that the Chiefs pivoted in the right direction.
When the Chiefs hired Brett Veach, there was a level of pushback from fans who believed it was Ballard's job to lose. Fast forward nearing a decade later and those questions no longer exist. Veach has orchestrated putting together a dynastic run that has Kansas City in the discussion as the greatest run from any franchise in league history.
The GM has earned the respect of players and fans alike, leaving Ballard as a forgotten piece of the Chiefs past. While the Colts' decision-maker still deserves credit for his part in landing Kelce and Hill, there simply isn't a realistic argument that the Chiefs didn't make the right decision. A fact that becomes even more glaring when looking at Ballard's latest decision in Indy.
A QB decision in Indy: Colts named Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback for their Sept. 7 regular-season opener vs. the Miami Dolphins, per @stephenholder and me. pic.twitter.com/Bz6uhxArGD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2025
Former Chiefs Exec Makes Shockingly Awful Preseason Decision
According to Adam Schefter, the Colts have made a decision at quarterback, announcing Daniel Jones as the starter. Ballard having to choose between Anthony Richardson and Jones speaks to just how far the former Chief has fallen. It is growing increasingly impossible to believe that Ballard can survive such a decision. If you need evidence of this, simply turn on the tape from Jones' time with the Giants.
The quarterback is prone to playing hero ball and making sloppy decisions that create consistent turnovers and a high level of frustration. This is what Ballard has just helped sign the Colts up for in the 2025 season. It is difficult to see a path that doesn't end with the current GM looking for a new landing spot after spending years with Indy.
Excuses are all gone with the franchise playing in a bad AFC South and being given every opportunity to turn the corner. Ballard is in trouble, while the Chiefs remain the prestige franchise not only in the AFC but in the league as a whole. No question, rolling with Jones is a decision that is going to quickly cost Ballard and likely end with the GM exiting the franchise.