THE ATHLETIC’s Zak Keefer wrote Colts owner Jim Irsay will "have to answer another question central to his team's future in the coming month." The Colts are 45-49-1 under GM Chris Ballard and “have not won the AFC South in his tenure.” They have made the playoffs “just twice in his six seasons.” Does Irsay “trust Ballard to fix what he broke?” Before the team’s loss to the Vikings on Saturday, Irsay “doubled down” on comments he made in early November, “defending his GM’s body of work and vowing that Ballard would return in 2023.” Assuming Irsay’s “word is good” and Ballard does stay, “how much of a voice will he have in the coaching decision?” Irsay has long said that it is “the GM’s job to pick the coach, not his.” But Irsay has, “on three notable occasions over the past year, stepped in and made a unilateral decision above his GM.” Ballard “is under contract through 2026” (THE ATHLETIC, 12/19).
GOING SOMEWHERE? In Colorado Springs, Chris Schmaedeke wrote Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett has “frustrated fans and he seemed ticketed to be one-and-done with the Broncos.” Over 18,000 “no shows” during Sunday’s win against the Cardinals “proves how over it many fans are.” The path for Hackett returning next season “has already started.” His chance at another season “looks better as the weeks go on.” That is “not a hot take,” it just “seems to be headed that way.” And deep down, “it is probably the right choice.” It is “not going to be a popular decision with the fans if the Broncos ownership decides to hang on to Hackett.” The Broncos “need stability again.” Another coach firing and search “is not something a stable organization does” (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 12/19).
GIVE HER SOME CREDIT: In Detroit, Carlos Monarrez noted after starting 2-8 the Lions have “six wins in the past seven games,” following their latest 20-17 win against the Jets. The Lions passed on Jets coach Robert Saleh in order to hire coach Dan Campbell, and after Sunday's win, it is clear Lions owner Sheila Hamp “made the right pick as the Lions are headed in the right direction.” She deserves credit for "supporting Campbell when it was an unpopular thing to do because she saw past what most people couldn’t" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/18).
