Colts fire general manager Chris Ballard after 2-4 start

As of 11:09 a.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts relieved general manager Chris Ballard of his duties on Monday, Oct. 19, the team announced on Colts.com. The move came one day after the Colts lost 26-20 at home to the previously winless Tennessee Titans, dropping them to 2-4, according to Colts.com.

"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," Colts Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in a statement released by the team.

"As I said at the start of the season, the sense of urgency has never been higher. Our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard," she said.

"Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision. Waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now. We will conduct a thorough search for our next general manager and take the time necessary to identify the right leader for the future of this organization," the statement said.

"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," Irsay-Gordon said.

The team did not name an interim general manager or say who would lead the search.

The loss to Tennessee

The Colts squandered a 13-0 halftime lead against the Titans, NFL.com reported, after turnovers, missed defensive plays and a blocked punt. Chants of "Fire Ballard" echoed through Lucas Oil Stadium during the game, ESPN reported.

Ballard's tenure

Ballard had been the Colts' general manager since 2017. He was in the final year of his contract and was understood to be in a make-or-break season after statements by Irsay-Gordon at the end of last season, ESPN reported.

The Colts reached the postseason twice and finished with a winning record four times under Ballard, according to ESPN. His career record as general manager fell to 72-82-1 after Sunday's loss, with a 1-2 playoff record, and Indianapolis has not made the playoffs since 2020, NFL.com reported.

Franchise quarterback Andrew Luck did not play in Ballard's first season in 2017, when the Colts went 4-12, then led them to a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance in 2018 before retiring the following August, ESPN reported. The team has struggled to find a long-term quarterback since, according to ESPN.

NFL.com reported that Ballard's recent major moves, including trading for cornerback Sauce Gardner and signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a multi-year deal, have not panned out. The first-round pick in 2027 that the Colts sent to New York for Gardner is currently a top-10 selection, NFL.com reported.

What's next

The Colts did not address the status of head coach Shane Steichen in the announcement. The Colts face the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings, the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars and the 2-4 Dallas Cowboys over the next three weeks, according to NFL.com.