

The Facts: The Indianapolis Colts will keep their GM and coach pairing together for another handful of seasons. Indy inked general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich to contract extensions through the 2026 season, the team announced Wednesday.
Diehards Line:
Ballard, who was under contract through 2022, joined the Colts in 2017 after four years as an executive in Kansas City. The Colts have gone 32-32 in four regular seasons under the GM and 1-2 in the postseason. Considered one of the best GMs in the league, Ballard is a tactical negotiator who doesn't spend money willy-nilly. He's handed out big extensions this offseason -- most recently to star linebacker Darius Leonard. Ballard owns very much a draft-and-develop mentality rather than leaning on free agency as his main method of team-building. Reich has proven in three years that he can get the most out of players. In three years at the helm, Reich has a 28-20 record, with the playoff appearances and a 1-2 postseason record. A former quarterback, Reich commands the locker room, never seems lost in his media appearances and runs a consistent, complementary offense. The Colts under Reich have never looked out of sorts or in disarray. Handing both contract extensions underscores Colts owner Jim Irsay's belief that the future of his team is in great hands.