Colts not tanking say owner, GM … Both Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay and G.M. Chris Ballard are denying that the Colts are in full tank mode after a series of odd moves over the past few days. Irsay, for example, claimed that allegations that the Colts were tanking this year are total B.S. that the team is ‘going to do what it takes to win. Irsay also argued that the 3-5-1 Colts could still make a playoff run. Meanwhile, Ballard claimed in a local interview that ‘we’re not throwing in the towel!’ Except, of course, that the Colts have for all intents and purposes ‘thrown in the towel.’ They benched veteran starting QB Matt Ryan and replaced him with Sam Ehlinger, a former 6th round pick who had never thrown a pass in an NFL game. Then they fired respected head coach Frank Reich and replaced him with former Colts’ C Jeff Saturday, an ESPN analyst with absolutely no college or pro coaching experience. And just to make sure there were no slip-ups, the Colts handed their offensive playcalling duties to an assistant QB coach. The Colts’ execs claims aside, it appears that the goal is to lose what they can to put themselves in the best position to take the best QB they can early in the 2023 draft. The Colts would have the 14th pick overall in the current draft selection order, but are actually only 1/2 game out of the 6th pick and just 1 1/2 games out of the top pick. In fact, it wouldn’t be a total shock if the top pick in this year’s draft comes down to the final week of the schedule when the Colts host Houston which currently is sitting on the #1 pick. Stay tuned!
