Yet team owner Jim Irsay still opted to bring back Ballard and coach Shane Steichen while expressing his disappointment with Indy's four-year playoff absence in a letter posted Sunday night. Five days later, Ballard sounded relieved to be getting another chance — perhaps his final opportunity to fix the mistakes of recent years.

"I don't blame (fans) for being pissed and questioning," Ballard said. "They should. ... I need to earn their trust back."