'Stupidest S--t I've Ever Heard,' Colts GM Chris Ballard Blasts Idea of NFL Players Returning to CFB

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has weighed in on the ongoing debate around players who were signed to NFL contracts being allowed to return to play in college.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ballard called it the "stupidest s--t I've ever heard" when addressing the topic.

The situation really picked up steam in mid-August when a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order allowing a group of former college players to enter the transfer portal even though some were on NFL rosters.

That led to LSU signing Dae'Quan Wright, who spent the summer with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL draft. He was waived by the Browns last week.

Wright played the past two seasons for head coach Lane Kiffin at Mississippi. Kiffin is entering his first year at LSU.

Multiple conferences, including the SEC , Big Ten and ACC , followed up by passing rule changes preventing players who have signed contracts with a pro team from being able to return to college to play for a team in their conference.

However, a Dallas-based judge signed an order on Aug. 27 prohibiting the NCAA, SEC and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from preventing a group of athletes from returning to college for another season.

There were a total of 41 players on the order, several who played football but also Christeen Iwuala and Bailey Maupin after they signed WNBA contracts earlier in the summer.

Kiffin told reporters on Monday that LSU's leadership committee, comprised of several players on the football team, were "emphatic" in their enthusiasm about the program adding former pro players if it helps them win games.

LSU is still waiting for official guidance from court orders and the SEC before making any final decisions about whether or not the players will participate in games, but Kiffin did say he will "absolutely follow" whatever the decision ends up being.