2026 Off-Season Thread

[IndyNorm]

Originally Posted by Puck

This really should put an end to the idea that it was Ballards decision. I always knew deep down that Irsay pushed for this. And the girls know it. So they were OK to give Ballard and SS time. They saw what could be done with a legit QB and they are staying

Ballard has built a pretty solid team. Need a piece here and there like most teams. But IMO we are "only" a QB away from being elite. Hopefully that is Jones

Maybe there's something in the article that shows differently, but I still call BS that Ballard wasn't at least aligned w/ Irsay on drafting AR. You and your staff don't go from acting like someone shit in your cereal to pure adulation b/c you now get to make a decision that your boss is forcing on you. Especially if that decision could very well be career limiting. Also, drafting AR very much tracks w/ Ballard's drafts up through 2023 since he pretty much drafted purely on physical traits up until 2024.

Exactly. Regardless of how they ranked Young, Stroud, and Richardson... they didn't feel strong enough to make a move for one over the others.

They tried the vet QB route for several years, stumbled into an elite pick, and decided they were going to take a shot with one of the top-3 QB. If Young or Stroud were the third QB left, I think the reactions would have been the same.

Maybe. I'm guessing he and his staff knew that in all likelihood AR would be there at 4 or possibly Stroud would be there. I seriously doubt Ballard would have drafted Young with Young's physical limitations.