# 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.
- Title: Colts Fire GM Ballard, More Decisions Ahead · SI | Shortify
- Summary: Colts fire GM Chris Ballard, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon faces big decisions on franchise overhaul and trade deadline. Indianapolis Colts fired GM Chris…
- Keywords: indianapolis colts, chris ballard, carlie irsay-gordon, nfl, trade deadline, franchise overhaul, sports, Colts, Fire, Ballard, More, Decisions
- Source: SI — https://si.com/nfl/albert-breer-notes-colts-more-decisions-firing-chris-ballard
- Published: 2026-10-20T17:08:37+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: indianapolis colts, chris ballard, carlie irsay-gordon, nfl, trade deadline, franchise overhaul, sports
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Indianapolis Colts fired GM Chris Ballard, with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon needing to decide if it's a single move or franchise-wide change.