Colts dismiss General Manager Chris Ballard after 1-5 start

Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts announced the termination of General Manager Chris Ballard on Sunday after the team fell to a 1-5 record following a defeat by the Tennessee Titans. Ballard, who had served as GM since 2017 and guided the team to two playoff appearances in his first four seasons, was dismissed as the organization seeks to improve its performance.

"I am grateful to Chris for his years of service to the Colts and for everything he poured into this organization," owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in a statement. "He cared deeply about our team and our community, and we wish Chris and his family all the best. As I said at the start of the season, the sense of urgency has never been higher. 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."

Head coach Shane Steichen remains in his position, though his future appears uncertain after the front-office change. The Colts said they will begin a comprehensive search for a new general manager to guide the franchise forward.