In an interview on Wednesday, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard stood firm in his belief that the team is on the right path, despite facing criticism for their playoff drought and overall record during his tenure.

Heading into his eighth season with the franchise, Ballard acknowledged the disappointment of not making the playoffs in the past three years. However, he expressed his unwavering confidence in the team's approach and their ability to achieve success.

"The last three years not making the playoffs, it's a disappointment," Ballard admitted. "I'm not going to sit here and say it wasn't. But I still have a very strong belief in what we're doing, how we're doing it and how we're going to get there... Either you believe in something or you believe nothing. It's easy to vacillate and go with what the world wants you to do. You either believe in something or you don't. This is what we believe."

Ballard defended his roster-building strategy, which has focused on developing young talent rather than making splashy moves in free agency. This approach has allowed the Colts to assemble a deep roster mainly comprised of homegrown players.

While Ballard's strategy has yielded positive results, concerns persist regarding certain areas of the team, particularly the secondary. However, he emphasized the importance of allowing the young players time to grow and gain experience.

"We'll continue to let these guys grow. They don't become players without playing," Ballard explained. "I think sometimes we forget that they've got to play."

The success of the upcoming season will largely depend on the development of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is expected to make a strong comeback after being limited to only four games in his rookie year due to injury. The Colts view Richardson as their best chance for long-term stability at the quarterback position since the departure of Andrew Luck in 2019.

Acknowledging the potential ups and downs that come with young quarterbacks, Ballard preached patience and the importance of learning from the challenges.

"There's gonna be some roller-coaster moments," Ballard acknowledged. "I don't want to say all, but most quarterbacks, when they're young, go through those moments. But learn from them, grow and keep moving forward."

As Ballard prepares for the upcoming season, he remains focused on his belief in the team's direction and his commitment to building a competitive and successful Colts roster.