During Chris Ballard's eighth end-of-season press conference, the tone was notably different as he acknowledged the Indianapolis Colts' underachievement. Expressing disappointment, Ballard took ownership of the team's struggles, emphasizing the need for significant offseason changes to improve the franchise's competitiveness.

He cited quarterback Anthony Richardson's need for consistency and health as essential for his development. Ballard admitted to a lack of competition on the roster, which contributed to the team's regression. He recognized the necessity of fostering a winning culture, addressing accountability issues among players.