The Indianapolis Colts are in search of a new general manager. The franchise announced that it fired Chris Ballard following its 2-4 start to the season and back-to-back losses, the most recent of which came against the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Ballard had been under pressure since the second half of last season, when the Colts lost seven consecutive games and eight of their final nine to close the year.
Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, when she made the decision to retain Ballard and the coaching staff after that disappointing finish, set the expectation that improvement must come in 2026. "I am grateful to Chris for his years of service to the Colts and for everything he poured into this organization," Irsay-Gordon said in a statement. "He cared deeply about our team and our community, and we wish Chris and his family all the best.
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." We have relieved Chris Ballard of his duties as General Manager. pic.twitter.com/BleD6bfTsG This season was Ballard's 10th as the general manager. Under his watch, the Colts posted a 72-82-1 record and were 1-2 in the postseason.
Time ran out on his tenure following five consecutive years without a playoff appearance, which placed Indianapolis in a tie for the third-longest active drought in the NFL. Only the Atlanta Falcons (2017) and New York Jets (2010) have waited longer for a return to the playoffs. What's more, the Colts were the only team in the AFC South to fail to win the division during Ballard's tenure.
Each of the other franchises won it at least twice. "Making the change during the season was a deliberate decision," Irsay-Gordon said. "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 the organization. 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." Ballard was in the final year of his contract and said before the start of Year 10 that he would not sign an extension prior to the start of the season.
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