From SI · · 2m
Colts Fire GM Ballard, More Decisions Ahead
Colts fire GM Chris Ballard, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon faces big decisions on franchise overhaul and trade deadline.
In brief
Colts fire GM Chris Ballard, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon faces big decisions on franchise overhaul and trade deadline. Indianapolis Colts fired GM Chris Ballard, with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon needing to decide if it's a single move or franchise-wide change. Originally reported by SI.
Colts Fire GM Ballard
Indianapolis Colts fired GM Chris Ballard, who finished nine-plus years with a 72-82-1 record, two playoff berths, and one playoff win.
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon's Decision
New(-ish) controlling owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon must decide if firing Ballard is a single move or start of franchise-wide change.
Dolphins and Falcons Precedents
Dolphins fired GM Chris Grier on Halloween last year, Falcons brought in Sportology in December, both signals for organizational change.
Miami and Atlanta Parallels
Miami's Danny Sillman held within team to bring GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, Atlanta tapped Matt Ryan to set vision.
Peyton Manning's Interest
Peyton Manning, known for picking front-office folks' brains on roster-building, was very interested in running a team but remains uncertain.
Trade Deadline Pressure
Colts face Nov. 10 trade deadline three weeks away, with older vets like DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor potentially valuable to other teams.
Dolphins and Commanders Fire Sales
Dolphins dealt Jaelan Phillips after firing GM Chris Grier, Commanders dealt edge rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat two years prior.
Colts' Veteran Players
Colts have older vets DeForest Buckner, Jonathan Taylor, and Quenton Nelson who could be traded for value.
Shane Steichen's Potential
Shane Steichen, 41, built championship-level offense for Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia and maximized Justin Herbert as Chargers rookie.
Steichen as Collateral Damage
Steichen could become collateral damage in larger reorganization, similar to Raheem Morris in Atlanta.
Steichen's Record
Steichen has a 0-for-4 record in making playoffs with Colts, with few coaches surviving that.
Jalen Hurts' Injury Questions
Jalen Hurts' injury has unanswered questions about sleep restrictions, ultrasound misreading, and plane handling.
Hurts' Medical Concerns
Doctors told Hurts not to sleep for superficial clot, but extra care needed flying home if embolism found.
Eagles' Leadership Question
Eagles shouldn't have put Nick Sirianni out there to answer for Jalen Hurts' injury.
Cam Ward's Performance
Cam Ward helped Titans win with long punt return, takeaways, and blocked punt return for touchdowns.
Robert Saleh's Perspective
Robert Saleh hopes Ward gets grace, noting his talent and need to grow with new offense.
The one thing
Indianapolis Colts fired GM Chris Ballard, with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon needing to decide if it's a single move or franchise-wide change.
