playStephen HolderOct 19, 2026, 09:43 AM ETCloseStephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS — 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.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 general manager and take the time necessary to identify the right leader for the future of this 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.”After Sunday’s loss, Steichen said of the fans’ booing his team, “We’ve got to give them something to cheer about. I don’t blame them for booing one freaking bit.”Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner voiced his frustration as well.”I’m sick and tired of the same song and dance every year.”Ballard ends his tenure in Indianapolis with a 72-82-1 record. The Colts made just two playoff appearances under Ballard (2018, 2020), with only a single playoff victory. Notably, the Colts never won the AFC South during his stint and have not won the division since 2014 — former quarterback Andrew Luck’s second season.The Colts’ current five-year playoff drought is the franchise’s longest since a seven-year drought from 1988-94.Ballard’s time in Indianapolis will be noted for the quarterback adventures the team endured on his watch.
After Luck retired unexpectedly in 2019, the Colts have remained on a carousel that Ballard seemingly could never escape. Indianapolis has had 14 different starting quarterbacks under Ballard, tied with the New York Jets and Denver Broncos for the third-most in that span, according to ESPN Research.The team’s decision to retain veteran quarterback Daniel Jones in the offseason via a two-year, $88 million contract is looking worse by the day. Jones, coming off a ruptured Achilles he sustained in early December, has struggled this season after showing the best stretch of his career before his injury last season. Jones ranks 30th in QBR (38.2) and 29th in completion percentage (59.6).
His current completion rate is on track to be the lowest of his career, including his six tumultuous seasons with the New York Giants.Ballard’s decision-making in the Sauce Gardner trade has also come under scrutiny. The Colts traded two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets last season for the star cornerback. But the deal, made to help bolster the Colts during an expected 2025 playoff run, backfired when the team faltered down the stretch. The Colts still owe the Jets their 2027 first-round choice.Garder, meanwhile, was unable to finish Sunday’s loss to the Titans because of an injury to his calf.
An MRI showed that Gardner has a mild calf strain that makes him week-to-week, sources told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.Gardner is expected to miss some time, but not an extended period.After last season, Irsay-Gordon said, “We have been very clear with [Ballard] and [Steichen], but giving them another opportunity means that the sense of urgency for them to deliver and perform has never been higher.”Ballard’s second chance ended Monday.
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