Nightcap Hour 2: Colts FIRE GM Chris Ballard + Davante Adams OUT 6-10 WEEKS + Tank Dell to MAKE His RETURN + CJ Gardner-Johnson SUSPENDED + Cowboys BACK Schottenheimer + Dream DOMINATE Valkyries + Ben Simmons TEARS Achilles

Shannon Sharpe (0:00)

The Indianapolis Colts, huh? Denver plays Arizona. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's Zach Allen homecoming. Is that in Arizona, Ash?

Yeah. Oh, Vance Jones used to be the defensive coordinator in Arizona. Zach Allen was a defense, and that's how Zach got to Denver, is because Vance first coached him in Arizona. The Indianapolis Colts have fired General Manager Chris Ballard. Chris Ballard finishes his tenure, 72 wins, 82 losses, one tie. The Colts made the playoffs twice, with one playoff win in nine years. The collapse down the stretch led to 2026 being a massive, proven year.

When the father died, Jim Erce, his daughters took over. Carly, remember I told y'all guys when she was riding on that pad, what I told you, she was riding out on that pad? What you, I'm firing you, Carl?

Chad Johnson (0:55)

Somebody getting fired?

Shannon Sharpe (0:57)

I'm gonna fire you in a couple of weeks. Yeah, she wrote that down in the past. The GM, without a first round pick in the 2027 NFL draft, due to Sal's Gardner. Now it's come out that he had an opportunity to trade for Matthew Stafford. Matthew Stafford was willing to sign up on three places, the Indianapolis Colts, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams. Chris Ballard said two first rounders was too much. But he gave up for two first rounders for Sal's Gardner. He also gave up a first and third round pick for Walk It To and Wins. He gave up a third round pick for Matt Ryan. The Edge Rushers, oof. He drafted Anthony Richardson with the number four overall pick. Paying Daniel Jones after Tornades on Achilles. Ten years, zero division titles.

I'm trying to think who's still on their roster from way back. I mean, obviously, they got a couple of guys the last couple of years. But the only guy I could really think of, his best two players that he's drafted, basically was Shaq, the linebacker, Darius Leonard and Quentin Nelson.

Quentin was the first round pick, Darius Leonard was the second round pick.

After that, look, Michael Pittman Jr., he traded him. Alec Pierce, second round pick, playing well. He's injured right now. But if you go back and look at all the other picks that they made, they haven't been good. Guess what, Ocho?

Chad Johnson (2:34)

Yeah.

Shannon Sharpe (2:35)

If Dallas GM wasn't who he was, he'd have been fired too. But unfortunately, you can't fire him.

Chad Johnson (2:41)

No, you can't fire the owner, boy.

Shannon Sharpe (2:43)

That's why he ain't got no GM here. He ain't dealing with that.

Chad Johnson (2:47)

He everything.

Shannon Sharpe (2:50)

I mean, Ocho, you mean to tell me you wouldn't trade for a quarterback no matter what you thought? Yeah, he would. But Matt Stafford, that make it seem like Matt Stafford wasn't putting up numbers like this. Matt Stafford was putting up these same numbers in Detroit. The only difference was he wasn't winning.

Chad Johnson (3:04)

Yeah.

Shannon Sharpe (3:05)

Matthew Stafford's always been... How you think the man got damn near 65,000 passing yards for over 420-something touchdowns if he can't throw the damn football?

Chad Johnson (3:15)

Yeah.

Shannon Sharpe (3:17)

And that's what you need. You know, I understand Andrew Luck dealt you a big blow when he retired the day of the training camp for the kickoff. Yeah. But you can't suck.

Give up the two first round picks and get you a quarterback. A proven commodity. Yeah. You ain't winning this league without him. I don't give a damn. You give up three. Without a quarterback, Ocho, I don't care what you give up to get other positions. Right. Without him, it ain't working.

Chad Johnson (3:51)

Yeah, I want to.

Shannon Sharpe (3:52)

Oh, yeah. And Jonathan Taylor, Jonathan Taylor's been great. Yeah. Those guys will have, will be upping in the ring. Jonathan Taylor, Quint Nelson, Shaq Leonard.

I don't know, they had some falling out, but those are the best players that he's drafted. But when you give up a first and third for walking to him wins, you give a third round pick for Matt Ryan, and then shows just how desperate you were. But you see, when I'm grasping at straws, I try anything, Ocho. I go get a guy that's been retired five years. Hey, come on, man. Damn. You better than what we got.

I would be ashamed. If I'm a quarterback on that roster and I see this man go get a guy that got 10 kids that hadn't played NFL football in five years, and you go get him off his couch, because.

Chad Johnson (4:41)

That is telling me what that man is telling you.