Colts GM had concerns over Jeff Saturday hiring

Jeff Saturday. Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colts GM admits he had concerns over Jeff Saturday hiring

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/10/23

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard opened up with some telling responses during his end-of-season presser on Tuesday morning.

Among the notable items was Ballard admitting that he had some concerns over the hiring of Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach.

#Colts GM Chris Ballard: "(Jeff Saturday) will be a candidate."

Ballard adds that he told owner Jim Irsay that hiring Saturday was "unprecedented" and had some concerns.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 10, 2023

When the Colts former All-Pro center was hired to replace Frank Reich in early November, the decision sent shockwaves throughout the league, due to Saturday's non-existent college of NFL coaching experience.

After winning his coaching debut in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Saturday lost seven straight to close the season and wrapped up the campaign at 4-12-1.

The season-ending freefall included blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants by a combined 63 points, as well as a historic collapse against the Minnesota Vikings.

#Colts GM Chris Ballard: "Look, I failed. I'm not gonna sit up here and make excuses. I failed a lot of people. ... I never take lightly what's at stake here."
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 10, 2023

#Colts GM Chris Ballard: "I know there's doubt. There should be. The criticism is warranted."
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 10, 2023

Per Boyd, Ballard said Tuesday morning that he'll "lead" the head-coaching search, but owner Jim Irsay will "make the final call."

Ballard also reiterated just how hard he is on himself for the brutal season in Indianapolis, saying "I've fired myself 50 times this year" and "I sit in that press box and agonize."

With the team's quarterback situation very much up in the air for next season, the GM told reporters that he'd do "whatever it takes" to potentially trade for a signal-caller if there was one available at the top of April's NFL Draft.

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