(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts have fired general manager Chris Ballard following their 26-20 home loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, ending his tenure after nearly 10 seasons in charge of the franchise.
Indianapolis announced the decision Monday after the Colts squandered a 13-point halftime lead against a Tennessee team that entered the game without a win. The defeat dropped the Colts to 2-4 and increased pressure on the team’s leadership.
Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said the organization needed a change to meet its long-term ambitions.
“Our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard,” Irsay-Gordon said in a statement.
Assistant general manager Ed Dodds will oversee the personnel department for the remainder of the season, while head coach Shane Steichen and his coaching staff will report directly to ownership.
Ballard Leaves Colts After Nine Seasons
Ballard joined Indianapolis as general manager in January 2017 and leaves with a 72-82-1 regular-season record. The Colts made the playoffs twice under his leadership, reaching the postseason in 2018 and 2020, but failed to win the AFC South during his tenure.
The franchise has not reached the playoffs since the 2020 season, extending its current postseason drought to five years.
Ballard also faced persistent uncertainty at quarterback following Andrew Luck’s unexpected retirement in 2019. Indianapolis struggled to find a long-term replacement, cycling through numerous starters without establishing stability at the position.
The team’s recent decisions have added to those concerns. Indianapolis committed to quarterback Daniel Jones with a two-year, $88 million contract in the offseason, but his performances have declined after he showed promise before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury last year.
The Colts also surrendered two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to acquire cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets. The move was intended to strengthen the roster for a playoff push, but Indianapolis failed to maintain its momentum.
Colts Face Pressure After Another Disappointing Season
Sunday’s loss intensified frustration among Indianapolis supporters, with fans chanting “Fire Ballard” at Lucas Oil Stadium during the game.
Steichen acknowledged the team’s poor performance afterward, saying he understood why fans were booing.
“We’ve got to give them something to cheer about,” Steichen said. “I don’t blame them for booing one freaking bit.”
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner also expressed frustration with the team’s repeated struggles.
“I’m sick and tired of the same song and dance every year,” Buckner said.
The Colts had entered the 2025 season with an 8-2 record before losing seven consecutive games and finishing with a losing record. That collapse raised questions about the team’s direction and prompted ownership to consider significant changes.
Indianapolis now faces another difficult stretch as it attempts to recover from its 2-4 start. The upcoming schedule includes games against the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys.
Ownership Begins Search for New General Manager
Irsay-Gordon said the decision to dismiss Ballard during the season was deliberate, allowing the franchise to begin its search for a replacement immediately rather than postponing the process until the offseason.
The Colts will conduct a thorough search for their next general manager while Dodds oversees personnel decisions for the remainder of the campaign.
Irsay-Gordon also stressed that the leadership change does not alter the organization’s expectations for the current season. She expects the team to continue competing, improving and winning games.
Steichen will remain in charge of the coaching staff, but the Colts’ results over the coming weeks could influence further decisions about the franchise’s leadership.
For now, Indianapolis must regroup after Ballard’s departure and determine whether its current roster can still salvage the season.
