Colts Fire GM Ballard After 2-4 Start
60 sourcesUpdated Oct 22, 20261 min read
The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, one day after a 26-20 home loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans dropped the team to 2-4. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced the decision. Ballard had been GM since 2017, when he replaced Ryan Grigson. The Colts went 72-82-1 in the regular season under him, reached the playoffs only twice (2018 and 2020), won one playoff game, hit 10-plus wins only twice, never won an AFC South title, and have missed the playoffs for five seasons. Last season ended with a seven-game losing streak. Irsay-Gordon thanked Ballard for his service and said he cared deeply about the team and community. She said the sense of urgency has never been higher, the standard is to compete for championships, and a change in leadership is necessary. She called the in-season move deliberate, saying waiting would only delay important work, and said the team will conduct a thorough search while keeping the same goals for the season. No interim general manager was named. Head coach Shane Steichen remains in place.
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Irsay-Gordon keeps saying the goals stay the same, but a midseason GM change usually means the playoffs are already in doubt.
The 2-4 start shows Ballard ran out of answers, so bringing in fresh leadership makes sense before the season slips away.
Firing Ballard after one ugly loss to the Titans feels rushed when the roster still has talent from his drafts.
