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Colts GM Chris Ballard: 'Rivalry is back on' with Patriots

Published: Feb 07, 2018 at 04:15 AM

Kevin Patra

Senior News Writer

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard spent most of his Wednesday press conference giving deliberate answers following Josh McDaniels' stunning decision to reject Indy and remain in New England.

Then Ballard provided a fitting mic drop.

"The rivalry is back on," the GM said as he walked away from the podium.

The Patriots and Colts have had a longtime on-field rivalry peaking with the Peyton Manning-Tom Brady clashes. The off-field animosity rose following the New England Deflategate saga, which started following the 2014 AFC Championship game.

McDaniels spurning the Colts to remain Bill Belichick's understudy in New England should reignite any dormant flames that might have fizzled with Indy's recent struggles.

Ballard said he wasn't interested in the explanation McDaniels had for deciding to stay in New England.

"There was no persuasion. Let me make this clear: I want, and we want as an organization a head coach that wants to be all-in," Ballard said. "We have work to do. And I want somebody that's 100 percent committed to partnering with us in getting that work done."

Ballard must now find a new coach to try to topple the Patriots as the kings of the AFC. The Colts travel to New England to tussle in 2018 where Indianapolis will attempt to take down McDaniels and spark a lopsided rivalry.

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