Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard has voiced strong disapproval of NFL players who participated in training camps and are now seeking to return to their college teams for an additional season.
Ballard described the situation as "the stupidest s--t I've ever heard," expressing his bewilderment at players leaving the professional ranks to go back to college. He emphasized that players spend their entire careers striving to reach the NFL, making a return to college counterintuitive.
This controversy stems from recent court rulings that have opened the door for players to pursue a fifth year of college eligibility, even after signing with NFL practice squads. With Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation now available in college sports, some players may find it financially advantageous to return to college rather than remain on an NFL practice squad.
Notable examples include tight end Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who reportedly played in NFL camps but are now attempting to return to play for coach Lane Kiffin at LSU. Kiffin has defended the practice, stating that players will either join his program or another, and that LSU is recruiting them as permitted by the rulings.
Ballard's sentiment is not unique within the football community. Coaches like Steve Sarkisian of Texas and Dabo Swinney of Clemson have also expressed opposition to this trend. However, unlike Sarkisian and Swinney, who face LSU on their schedules, Ballard does not have to contend with players returning to potentially play against the Colts.
The NFL landscape is also seeing its own team-related challenges. The Colts are focused on returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2026. The team is dealing with injury concerns, including those affecting quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, and the recent arrest of wideout Keenan Allen on OWI charges. Last season, the Colts started 8-2 but faltered, finishing 8-9 after Jones suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14.