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Colts fire general manager in first major leadership move of NFL season

The Indianapolis Colts made a bold move Monday, dismissing general manager Chris Ballard just six games into the 2026 season. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon cited the team’s failure to meet championship-level expectations, following back-to-back 8-9 records in 2024 and 2025.

Ballard, who had led the franchise since 2017, oversaw two playoff appearances but had not returned to the postseason since 2020. The decision came after a 2-4 start, including a 26-20 home loss to the Titans, which exposed defensive struggles ranked 27th in the league entering Week 6.

Irsay-Gordon emphasized that the team’s long-term goals remain unchanged, despite the abrupt leadership shift midseason. Ballard’s tenure had been marked by challenges, including quarterback Daniel Jones’ late-season Achilles tear in 2025, which derailed the Colts’ playoff hopes after an 8-2 start.

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