Free agency 2023

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

Are you really implying that it’s a negative in Ballard’s book that he didn’t personally engineer their losing season and resulting top five pick?

No I’m pointing out that it’s strange this is the make or break for Ballard considering 1) no draft pick is a guarantee, but QB is especially prone to failure, and 2) by even your admission this wasn’t Ballard’s plan. It’s great if he hits, but if it wasn’t for Irsay he’d never get the shot. And if he fails, if it wasn’t for Irsay he’d have never been in the position.

But yes, if he never was going to go all in on one of the vet QBs then yes he should have taken his lumps and had a bad year to draft the QB or been aggressive and traded up for one. The cycle of vet QB and not trying to win ended about where anyone could expect - mediocrity. It’s where I make the comparison to the Pacers. They tried to ride that middle ground for years. Not bad enough to draft a difference maker, not good enough to ever compete. Ballard was well on his way. Rescued from himself by Irsay.