INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said he met with embattled quarterback Carson Wentz for an hour Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium before the 2022 NFL Combine, emphasizing they had a productive conversation. But there still isn’t any clarity on Wentz’s undetermined status.
Colts GM Chris Ballard won’t commit to Carson Wentz
One year after a hefty trade for the former Philadephia Eagles starter, Wentz is not expected to return due to his disappointing finish to the season as the Colts failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Colts haven’t ruled out the possibility of retaining Wentz. But their public debate about whether he’s the answer opens the door to healthy doubt and intense scrutiny.
“I don’t know, we’re still working through it,” Ballard said when asked if there’s an update on Wentz. “I know I’m going to get a lot of questions about Carson right now and I don’t have a direct answer for you. We’re working through it. We’ll sit down over the next 10 days and figure out where it’s going. Ultimately, we’ll do what’s in the best interest of the team in the short term and the long term.”
Ballard said that the Colts will factor in everything in making the decision on Wentz. However, he didn’t reference the available free agent quarterbacks or the draft as being an overriding element.
It comes down to trust. “Ultimately, you’ve got to have a guy that you believe in and can win with,” Ballard said.
Colts’ decision-making process on Wentz
Why have the Colts lost faith in Wentz and been so noncommittal on his future?
“Fair enough, so not saying we don’t (believe), but in the long-term best interests for us as we work through whether Carson is the long-term best interest for us is the best way I can put it,” Ballard said. “We’re not there yet. I’m not there yet. We’ll talk about it as a group and move forward. Whatever decision we make will be the best one for us.”
Ballard said there have been good discussions between himself, coach Frank Reich, and owner Jim Irsay about this hot-button topic.
“I don’t know that I would say there’s disagreement, but there’s good discussion between us,” Ballard said.
As far as the trade and what was surrendered, Ballard said he can’t concern himself with that. And he won’t.
Colts GM continues to speak with Wentz
The conversation with Wentz lent no clarity to the situation, but it wasn’t a bad one, according to Ballard.
“I visited with Carson today in my office for an hour,” he said. “It was good. It was really good. I think learning to handle the criticism, I think what you always have to ask yourself, and I always ask it with the criticism I get, which some of it is deserved, I always ask, ‘Is the criticism fair? Is it fair?’ I’ll take it in if it is fair.
“But if it’s not fair, then what am I doing? I’m not wasting head space on that. But if the criticism is fair, we’ve got to be able to look internally and accept that and grow from it. Look, I’m not saying all of your, most of it’s pretty fair. And it’ll be interesting to see how he grows from this. I think he will.”