Chris Ballard Named Colts GM: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Chris Ballard did not interview for the San Francisco 49ers' general manager position, but when the Indianapolis Colts' post opened up, he found a perfect fit.

The Colts announced Ballard as their next general manager Sunday, and on Monday, owner Jim Irsay told reporters Ballard signed a five-year contract.

Irsay also told reporters he feels Ballard is the best general manager candidate "to come about in the 21st century."

Ballard spent the last four seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel. He was general manager John Dorsey's right-hand man, particularly when it came to drafting and evaluating talent.

Kansas City has found Pro Bowl talent like Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill outside the first round during his tenure.

"I'm jacked," Ballard told reporters, "It's an honor to represent the horseshoe."

Ballard will be replacing Ryan Grigson, who was fired earlier this month after a five-year stint. Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano were at odds throughout much of their time together, with both nearly being let go after the 2015 season before Irsay had a change of heart.

ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported the Colts hired a psychologist who tried and failed to mend the relationship last season. 

"There was a lot of work going on within our organization to evaluate how interaction happens, how people communicate and how we get better," Irsay said. "It wasn't just sitting and staring outside at the Indiana winter. Through that process, I think both men grew and understood where they have to change."

Irsay said Pagano will be retained for the 2017 season. However, the Colts' hiring of Ballard may be a good indicator that he's on rocky ground. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Jimmy Raye III, who had been handling football operations on an interim basis, was a favorite of Pagano's for the permanent GM position.

On Monday, Schefter cited league sources when reporting that Ballard will re-evaluate Pagano for the 2018 season.

Ballard told reporters "there were no other options" when it came to inheriting Pagano, noting he's won 49 games as a head coach and how hard it is to win in the NFL.

Ballard and Irsay do not have the same working relationship. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported Ballard would "prefer" to hire Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub as his head coach. It's unclear if Ballard will be given the freedom to renege on Irsay's promise that Pagano will return, but it's a development worth watching.

The Colts provided a quote from Pagano:

The Colts have posted 8-8 records the last two seasons despite playing in arguably the NFL's worst division, ruining years of Andrew Luck's prime as he gets pounded in the pocket.

Ballard's first order of business will be fortifying an offensive line Grigson tried and failed multiple times to build. He'll also be tasked with adding depth to a roster that's thin mostly because of poor draft-day decisions.