Colts dismiss general manager Chris Ballard after 2-4 start

The Indianapolis Colts have dismissed general manager Chris Ballard after a 2-4 start to the season, ending a tenure that began in January 2017.

Owner and chief executive Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced the decision on Monday, a day after Indianapolis lost 26-20 at home to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. She said the club needed different leadership to meet its ambition of competing for championships.

Club begins search for a successor

Irsay-Gordon said changing general manager during the season was a deliberate choice, with waiting until the campaign ended delaying work the organisation needed to begin immediately. The Colts will conduct a thorough search for Ballard's replacement.

The owner also said the dismissal did not change the team's objectives for the rest of the season. Indianapolis still has 11 regular-season games remaining and visits Minnesota next weekend before travelling to Jacksonville.

Play-off drought outlasts Ballard

The Colts reached the post-season twice during Ballard's time in charge, in 2018 and 2020, and have missed the play-offs in each of the past five seasons. Their only play-off victory under him came against Houston in the 2018 season's wild-card round.

Sunday's defeat was their second in succession. Indianapolis led Tennessee 13-0 at half-time but could not hold on, allowing the Titans to secure their first victory of the campaign.

The result left the Colts alongside Houston at 2-4, two games behind AFC South leaders Jacksonville. It also intensified scrutiny of a team that had briefly recovered from two opening defeats with successive wins over the Texans and Washington.

Ballard, 57, had signed a five-year contract extension in 2021. His departure means Indianapolis must choose new leadership while trying to recover its season.

Sources

• Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties (2026-10-19)
• Colts fire GM Chris Ballard after loss to Titans — Field Level Media (2026-10-19)
• Colts fire general manager Chris Ballard — Associated Press via Sportsnet (2026-10-19)