“We’re Not Close” GM Of Packers’ 2025 Opponent Shockingly Admits Full Tailspin (Report)

   

Nov 28, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

While the Packers’ season ended on a sour note, there was a lot of positives to take away from it.  Overall, improving their win total from nine to 11 was a major improvement.  The addition of Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney proved to be incredible ones.

Green Bay may need to make a few changes to their roster to become Super Bowl contenders, but they’re certainly headed in the right direction.

However, one of Green Bay’s opponents next year isn’t so fortunate.

“We’re Not Close” GM Of Packers’ 2025 Opponent Shockingly Admits Full Tailspin (Report)

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gestures to the crowd as he leaves the field after defeating the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 16-10. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gestures to the crowd as he leaves the field after defeating the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 16-10. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

When Chris Ballard commenced his end-of-season news conference in January, he fell on the sword:

The Indianapolis Colts general manager apologized for another fruitless season and acknowledged he’s been “hardheaded and stubborn” in his team-building approach.

The 55-year-old also said he still believes he can turn the franchise around, though he knows his words don’t mean much after another uninspiring season. The fans have heard this all before.

Despite his failures, which Ballard himself laid out again during his news conference, Colts owner Jim Irsay announced hours after his team’s 8-9 finish in 2024 that Ballard would be retained for a ninth campaign.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) against Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II (25) on Sept. 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. © Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) against Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II (25) on Sept. 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. © Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Irsay’s message to his GM? “Fix it,” Ballard repeated Friday.

And there’s a lot to fix

“Right now, we’re not close,” Ballard said. “Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. That’s close. Going 8-9, that’s not close — no. I’m not saying we won’t be closer when we get closer to the season, but right now sitting here today, we’re an 8-9 football team and we gotta own that.

“We are not good enough.”

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) against Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II (25) on Sept. 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. © Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) dives to catch a deflected pass against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 16-10.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Green Bay will host the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field in 2025.  Here is a look at their recent matchups:

Rk Date IND   GNB   Venue City
1 2024-09-15 10 @ 16   Lambeau Field Green Bay
2 2020-11-22 34   31 OT Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis
3 2016-11-06 31 @ 26   Lambeau Field Green Bay
4 2012-10-07 30   27   Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis
5 2008-10-19 14 @ 34   Lambeau Field Green Bay
6 2004-09-26 45   31   RCA Dome Indianapolis
7 2000-11-19 24 @ 26   Lambeau Field Green Bay
8 1997-11-16 41   38   RCA Dome Indianapolis
9 1991-11-24 10 @ 14   Milwaukee County Stadium Milwaukee
10 1988-11-13 20 @ 13   Lambeau Field Green Bay
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is shown during the first quarter of their game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is shown during the first quarter of their game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images