Would the Indianapolis Colts sell after the ouster of GM Chris Ballard? The answer was a resounding yes. Guard Quenton Nelson? Gone. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner? Gone. Wideout Josh Downs? Pushing for a trade. It all sends a resounding message about where this franchise is heading and how involved owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon will be as the Colts move forward. It also hints at the future of the coaching staff and quarterback Daniel Jones, whose security likely rests in the hands of the next general manager.
I joined Mike Patton on Touring the AFC South to unpack those moves, along with what I’ve heard about Irsay-Gordon’s involvement and what it all means for the decisions ahead. We also dug into Houston’s confusing regression this season, which has included a defense that has seemingly lost its edge and an offense that is now tasked with figuring out how to fit new receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. into the fold and make him consistently productive. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, there are signs of growth but also some trade deadline questions. We shot the show before defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was dealt to the Chicago Bears, but we discussed how the prioritization of deadline moves had to be about building around quarterback Cam Ward. And in Jacksonville, there appears to be a need for another cornerback as we ponder how many offensive snaps cornerback Travis Hunter is going to see and how that will impact a trade deadline decision on wideout Brian Thomas Jr.
Around the rest of the league, we looked at how the New York Giants have achieved early-season success despite having started three different quarterbacks, why the Cincinnati Bengals can’t rely on explosive second halves to win games, and game management issues putting some heat on Aaron Glenn’s job status with the New York Jets. We also discussed the encouraging balance the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found in the return of quarterback Baker Mayfield and had a discussion about the NFL’s Paris game showcasing a need for some backup options when an international game gets threatened by surrounding issues in host cities.
You can watch the full conversation below. And as always, thank you for supporting NFL Blue Book. If you are enjoying the content, please share it with a friend.