Colts' Ballard: Smarter Build, Cautious Cap

0:00On March 31st, Carly Urse Gordon steps in as principal owner of the Colts and tells GM Chris Ballard to switch up his game plan. Over the last two years, he delivers, signing cornerback, Charvary's Ward, and safety Cameron Bynum to fat contracts, trading two first-round picks for Prophees, sauce gardener at the deadline, and shipping out vets like wide receiver Michael Pittman and linebacker Zaire Franklin early. This offseason though, no massive outside splashes after prioritizing quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce with deals worth over two. Hundred million across four years, Ballard calls those the top two must-do's, leaving them cautious on the cap with about 26 million left to play with. Fans see a smarter build, trading cap space for flexibility after those big veteran exits cleared room. They chased defensive end, Trey Hendrixson hard, but he landed a four-year pact, averaging 28 million a year, with Baltimore.

1:01Now they're scooping nine low-risk vets, late and free agency, betting a few pop like last-use defensive tackle, Neville Gallimor. Cap space still open means more tweaks coming, as Ballard and the crew craft a deeper squad ready to compete without breaking the bank.