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Colts Fire GM Chris Ballard After 2-4 Start and Loss to Winless Titans

Indianapolis fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday after a 26-20 home loss to the previously winless Titans. Ballard ran the team since 2017 and had not reached the playoffs since 2020.

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Colts Fire GM Chris Ballard After 2-4 Start and Loss to Winless Titans

Key points

  • The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, one day after a 26-20 home loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans dropped the team to 2-4.
  • It is the first major firing of the NFL season.
  • Assistant general manager Ed Dodds will take over the personnel department for the rest of the 2026 season.

The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, one day after a 26-20 home loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans dropped the team to 2-4. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced the move in a statement.

It is the first major firing of the NFL season. Ballard had run the Colts since 2017 and was in his 10th season, working in the final year of his contract.

Assistant general manager Ed Dodds will take over the personnel department for the rest of the 2026 season. Head coach Shane Steichen stays in his job, and he and his staff will report to ownership.

The loss that ended it

Indianapolis led Tennessee 13-0 at halftime on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Titans outscored the Colts 26-7 after the break. Tennessee scored on a 14 yard return of a blocked punt and broke a 20-20 tie with two Joey Slye field goals in the final 2 minutes and 3 seconds, while Colts quarterback Daniel Jones threw two interceptions and was sacked six times.

The defeat snapped Indianapolis's six game winning streak over the Titans, which dated back to 2023, and ended Tennessee's 11 game losing streak against AFC South opponents.

Why it happened

Ballard's teams made the playoffs twice in his first four seasons and have not been back since 2020. His overall record was 72-82-1, with a 1-2 mark in the playoffs. The Colts closed the 2025 season with a seven game losing streak and missed the playoffs for a fifth straight year, and a 2-4 start this season left the same questions in place.

Irsay-Gordon had said before the season that improvement was needed. In her statement on Monday she said: "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."

What is next

The Colts said they will run a thorough search for their next general manager. Irsay-Gordon said the decision does not change the team's goals for this season and that she expects the Colts to compete, improve and win games. Steichen's position will be judged by what happens from here, with the new general manager search running alongside the rest of the season.

Timeline

  1. Oct 18, 2026The Colts lose 26-20 at home to the previously winless Tennessee Titans after leading 13-0 at halftime, dropping to 2-4.
  2. Oct 19, 2026Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fires general manager Chris Ballard. Assistant general manager Ed Dodds takes over the personnel department for the rest of the season.

Sources