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Chris Ballard vs. Ryan Pace: Breaking down biggest NFL honor battle

By Erik Lambert

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 13: General manager Chris Ballard addresses the media during the press conference introducing head coach Frank Reich at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 13: General manager Chris Ballard addresses the media during the press conference introducing head coach Frank Reich at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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One would think the biggest NFL honor battleground would be MVP like always, but this year it looks like Chris Ballard vs. Ryan Pace for Exec of the Year.

The Pro Football Writers of America released their top choices for Coach, Assistant Coach, and Executive of the Year for 2018. They created a major firestorm of debate when they ended up choosing Indianapolis Colts GM Ballard over Chicago Bears GM Pace, whom many felt was the prohibitive favorite for the award. Both sides have their supporters, leading to an interesting question.

Who does deserve the honor more? In order to answer that, it’s best to break down what the two men accomplished over the course of the season. This isn’t about just the draft or free agency. It’s about everything from the start of the year in January all the way through to the end of the season for both teams and accounting for every notable move they made. Who had the greater successes and the fewer mistakes?

Ballard argument for:

  • Drafted two All-Pros in Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard
  • Drafted Braden Smith
  • Signed Denico Autry
  • Hired Frank Reich as head coach
  • Signed Eric Ebron
  • Won a playoff game

Ballard argument against:

  • Aided by the return of Andrew Luck
  • Reich hire only happened because Josh McDaniels backed out

Pace argument for:

  • Drafted Roquan Smith
  • Drafted James Daniels
  • Drafted Anthony Miller
  • Signed Allen Robinson
  • Traded for Khalil Mack
  • Hired Matt Nagy

Pace argument against:

  • Cody Parkey signing was a bad miss

All things considered, it comes down to who had fewer breaks in good fortune. That would have to be Pace. Not only did he not have an All-Pro quarterback to fall back on like Ballard did, but he also got his head coach choice right the first time around with Nagy who is favored to win Coach of the Year. While the Reich hire was a great call by Ballard, it doesn’t erase the fact it only happened because his original choice left him high and dry. A happy accident, as they say.

Each man is more than deserving of the honor, but it can only go to one. Ballard had more strokes of good luck to propel his season to success. Pace did far more work and took far more chances. His team ended up winning their division and finishing with a better record. That has to give him the edge, however slight it may be.

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