Full Breakdown
Colts Fire GM Chris Ballard Amid 2-4 Start and Titans Loss
By Drooid · · How we work
The Decision
On October 19, 2026, Indianapolis owner-CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced that general manager Chris Ballard was relieved of his duties. The move followed a 26-20 home loss to the Tennessee Titans after squandering a 13-point halftime lead, dropping the Colts to 2-4.
Background & Context
Ballard was hired in 2017 and inherited a roster built around franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck’s retirement in 2019 forced the Colts into a revolving-door quarterback carousel that included Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Anthony Richardson (No. 4 overall in 2023) and Daniel Jones. The franchise has not won an AFC South title since 2014 and has missed the playoffs for five straight seasons, with only two postseason appearances (2018, 2020) and a single playoff win.
Timeline
- 2017 – Ballard hired as GM.
- 2019 – Luck retires; quarterback instability begins.
- 2023 – Colts draft Anthony Richardson No. 4 overall.
- Nov 4, 2025 (scheduled) – Trade with the Jets sends two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
- 2025 season – Colts start 8-2, then lose seven straight to finish 8-9.
- Mar 11 – Colts sign Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million contract with $50 million guaranteed.
- Aug 29, 2026 – Gardner suffers a mild calf strain, week-to-week.
- Oct 19, 2026 – Ballard fired; assistant GM Ed Dodds assumes interim personnel duties.
Data & Statistics
- Ballard’s tenure record: 72-82-1 regular-season, 1-2 playoff.
- Colts have not won a division crown since 2014.
- 2025: 8-2 start, then seven consecutive losses (final 8-9).
- 2026: currently 2-4, near the bottom of the league in points allowed (27.3 PPG) and total yards allowed (367.5 YPG).
- The 2025 Gardner trade cost the Colts their 2026 and 2027 first-round selections; the 2027 pick now projects as a top-10 selection for the Jets.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged fan frustration and said the entire football staff must “put our best foot forward” moving forward.
Why It Matters
The termination removes the primary architect of a roster that has sacrificed future draft capital for short-term upgrades, most notably the Gardner trade. With the 2027 first-round pick already owed to the Jets, the incoming GM will inherit a depleted draft pool, a costly $88 million contract for Daniel Jones, and a quarterback depth chart that still lists the untested Anthony Richardson as a backup. Ownership’s stated commitment to “compete” now hinges on whether the next front-office leader can restructure the roster, possibly by leveraging veteran assets such as guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner before the Nov 10 trade deadline.
What’s Next
The Colts travel to face the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings next week, followed by a division clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their home finale against the Dallas Cowboys is slated for Nov. 8. The upcoming Nov 10 trade deadline will test the interim personnel staff’s willingness to trade veteran players for draft compensation, a strategy that could reshape the franchise’s trajectory for the 2027 draft and beyond.