# Chris Ballard's Colts Trade Missed

> Chris Ballard's failed trade for Matthew Stafford could have saved the Colts' quarterback chaos.
- Title: Chris Ballard's Colts Trade Missed · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Chris Ballard's failed trade for Matthew Stafford could have saved the Colts' quarterback chaos. The Colts' general manager Chris Ballard missed a chance to…
- Keywords: chris ballard, colts, matthew stafford, nfl, quarterback, trade, indianapolis colts, tennessee titans, philip rivers, carson wentz, daniel jones, seahawks
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-chris-ballards-colts-tenure-matthew-stafford-trade
- Published: 2026-10-21T19:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chris ballard, colts, matthew stafford, nfl, quarterback, trade, indianapolis colts, tennessee titans, philip rivers, carson wentz, daniel jones, seahawks
## Colts fire GM Chris Ballard
The Indianapolis Colts dismissed general manager Chris Ballard one day after losing 26-20 to the previously winless Tennessee Titans.
## Ballard's tenure ends
Ballard is the first head coach or front office executive to be fired during the 2026 NFL season.
## Quarterback instability
His nearly 10-year tenure as Colts general manager was hindered by an inability to find a long-term solution at quarterback after Andrew Luck's retirement.
## Rivers' playoff exit
The Colts haven't made the playoffs since going 11-5 in 2020 with a 39-year-old Philip Rivers.
## Stafford trade opportunity
The Detroit Lions were accommodating Matthew Stafford's trade request in 2021, with the Colts on his short list of teams.
## Stafford's Zillow search
Stafford mentioned searching for houses in Indianapolis on Zillow before his trade to the Rams.
## Rams trade for Stafford
The Lions received a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2021 third-round pick and Jared Goff from the Rams for Stafford.
## Goff's success
Goff earned a four-year, $212 million contract extension, averaging $53 million per year in 2024.
## Stafford trade value
A Ballard offer the Lions couldn't refuse would have been between Stafford's acquisition cost and the two quarterback trades made in 2022.
## Wentz experiment
The failed Carson Wentz experiment led to his departure after a poor 2021 regular season finale against the Jaguars.
## Wentz trade details
Wentz was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick.
## Stafford's potential impact
Stafford would have given the Colts an extended window as a contending team with a strong offensive line and running back.
## Colts' future without Stafford
The Colts finished 8-9 in 2025 after Daniel Jones tore his right Achilles late in the season.
## Key takeaway

The Colts' general manager Chris Ballard missed a chance to trade for Matthew Stafford in 2021, leading to years of quarterback instability.