Colts fire GM Chris Ballard after home loss to Titans - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts have fired general manager Chris Ballard, one day after chants of «Fire Ballard» echoed through Lucas Oil Stadium during a loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans.

Ballard, in his 10th season leading the Colts, was fired Monday morning, one day after his team wasted a 13-point halftime lead before losing to Tennessee.

Assistant general manager Ed Dodds will oversee the personnel department for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, coach Shane Steichen and his coaching staff will report to ownership.

Ballard, in the final year of his contract, was in a make-or-break season after the team's seven-game losing streak in 2025 derailed its 8-2 start and prompted owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and her sisters to consider widespread changes. The Colts were the first team to ever reach six games over .500 and finish with a losing record.

Colts GM Chris Ballard was fired Monday after a dismal end to last season and uninspiring start to this season. The Colts were 8-2 in 2025 entering their bye and then lost seven in a row to miss the postseason. In 2026, they are 2-4.

Ultimately, the Colts couldn't reverse that trend and are now 2-4, on a trajectory that strongly suggests the team will not produce the results ownership expected for Ballard and Steichen to be retained long term.

Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday saying that Ballard had «poured everything into this organization.» But she added that «our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard.

»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