The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, October 19, 2026, one day after fans booed the team resoundingly and chanted “Fire Ballard” during Sunday's 26-20 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, one day after fans booed the team resoundingly and chanted "Fire Ballard" during Sunday's 26-20 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced the move, closing the book on Ballard's decade running the franchise's personnel department.
A Decade in Charge Comes to an Abrupt End
Ballard, who had served as the Colts' general manager since 2017, was in his 10th season leading the organization. Over that stretch, Ballard had a 72-82-1 record, along with a 1-2 record in the playoffs. Ballard had been in the job since 2017 and made the playoffs twice in his first four seasons, but have not been back since 2020 while cycling through a number of different quarterbacks.
The Breaking Point Against a Winless Opponent
Sunday's defeat was especially jarring because Tennessee arrived in Indianapolis without a win all season. The Colts fell to 2-4 with Sunday's loss to the Titans, who rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit. Quarterback Daniel Jones struggled through the collapse, as Jones was 22-of-42 for 269 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's game. He was sacked six times by a Titans team that had only 10 sacks through the first five weeks of the season. Despite the poor showing, head coach Shane Steichen made clear afterward that Jones would not lose his job, telling reporters, "Yes, he is our starting quarterback."
Buckner's Blunt Message
The frustration extended into the locker room. According to reporting on the aftermath, Colts star DeForest Buckner expressed his frustration with the organization, saying he was "sick and tired of the same song and dance every year." That kind of public criticism from a veteran leader only intensified the pressure on ownership to act before the week was out.
Irsay-Gordon Explains Why She Couldn't Wait
In her statement, Irsay-Gordon was direct about the standard she expects from the franchise. "Our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard," she said. She also addressed the unusual timing of an in-season firing. "Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision. Waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now."
Irsay-Gordon was careful to credit Ballard's tenure even while ending it. "I am grateful to Chris for his years of service to the Colts and for everything he poured into this organization. He cared deeply about our team and our community, and we wish Chris and his family all the best." She also stressed that the move was not a white flag on 2026, adding, "I also want to be clear: this decision does not change our goals for the season. We have a lot of football in front of us, and I expect us to compete, improve, and win football games."
Who Steps In Next?
The Colts have not named an interim replacement, but one name stands out internally. Assistant general manager Ed Dodds, who came to Indianapolis with Ballard in 2017 and has interviewed for GM jobs elsewhere, is the logical in-house option. Ownership, though, has signaled it won't rush the process, with Irsay-Gordon saying a "thorough search" for Ballard's successor will begin immediately.
Where This Leaves the Colts
For now, head coach Shane Steichen remains on the sideline, for now. The on-field math is not kind to Indianapolis: Sunday's loss to the Titans dropped the Colts to 2-4 on the season, two games behind first-place Jacksonville. The front office shake-up arrives in the same stretch that saw the Colts pass on reinforcing their roster, a point underscored by their decision to stay out of the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade market earlier this season.
Ballard's exit also reshapes the power structure across a crowded AFC South race led by Jacksonville, where division rivals like the Houston Texans have continued to push for playoff position while Indianapolis searches for stability. League-wide, the dismissal adds another front-office vacancy to track across the NFL as teams evaluate their direction at the midpoint of the season.
Ballard's Indianapolis tenure began when he arrived from Kansas City to replace a previous regime, and it ends with the franchise once again searching for the personnel voice it hopes can finally return the Colts to sustained contention.