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Is a Colts' fire sale coming? What that could look like and what big names could be traded away

The Indianapolis Colts dismissed general manager Chris Ballard on Monday after a 26-20 home defeat to the Tennessee Titans in Week 6, a loss that gave owner Carlie Irsay‑Gordon the impetus to act. Ballard’s tenure included two playoff appearances (2018, 2020) and a 72‑82‑1 regular‑season record, but the team has missed the postseason five straight years, the longest stretch since the late 1980s.

The franchise also faces a 2027 rebuild without a first‑round pick, having traded its 2026 and 2027 first‑round selections plus wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets for All‑Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, 32, publicly expressed frustration after the Titans loss and hinted at a trade, noting his 4.0 sacks and 19 pressures rank among the league’s best for his position.

Buckner is set to become a free agent in the 2027 offseason, making his potential departure a key piece of any fire‑sale scenario.

Up nextNFL· 37m ago

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