Colts fire GM Chris Ballard after 26-20 loss to winless Titans

The Indianapolis Colts relieved general manager Chris Ballard of his duties on Monday, one day after a 26-20 home defeat to the previously winless Tennessee Titans.

Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced the decision in a statement on the team’s website, saying “a change in leadership is necessary” to meet the franchise’s goal of competing for championships. “The sense of urgency has never been higher. Our standard is to compete for championships,” she said.

The Colts fell to 2-4 after Sunday’s loss, in which the Titans trailed 13-0 at half-time before rallying in Indianapolis. It was Indianapolis’s second straight defeat, leaving them two games behind AFC South-leading Jacksonville (4-2) heading into Week 7. (https://www.reuters.com/sports/colts-fire-gm-chris-ballard-after-loss-titans—flm-2026-10-19/)

Ballard, 57, had held the role since January 2017, signing a five-year extension in 2021. In nearly a decade he took the Colts to the playoffs twice (2018 and 2020) but never won the division, and the franchise has now missed the postseason for six straight years. He finishes with a 72-82-1 record. (https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2026/10/19/chris-ballard-fired-as-colts-gm-after-10-years-due-to-failures-at-qb-pass-rush/92326188007/)

Ballard hired head coach Shane Steichen ahead of the 2023 season to replace Frank Reich; Steichen, who is 27-30 in Indianapolis, remains in place, and no interim general manager was named. Irsay-Gordon said the in-season change was “a deliberate decision” and promised a thorough search for the next GM, adding that the club’s season goals are unchanged. (https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/colts-fire-gm-chris-ballard)