# Colts Trade Targets After Ballard Firing

> Colts could trade five players after firing GM Chris Ballard.
- Title: Colts Trade Targets After Ballard Firing | Shortify
- Summary: Colts could trade five players after firing GM Chris Ballard. Indianapolis may trade Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, Jonathan Taylor, Grover Stewart and…
- Keywords: indianapolis colts, chris ballard, quenton nelson, deforest buckner, jonathan taylor, grover stewart, charvarius ward, nfl, trade deadline, 2027 first-round pick, sauce gardner trade, tennessee titans
- Source: Indianapolis Colts On SI — https://si.com/nfl/colts/onsi/5-colts-who-could-be-traded-following-chris-ballard-s-firing
- Published: 2026-10-20T18:54:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: indianapolis colts, chris ballard, quenton nelson, deforest buckner, jonathan taylor, grover stewart, charvarius ward, nfl, trade deadline, 2027 first-round pick, sauce gardner trade, tennessee titans
## Colts Fire GM
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired Chris Ballard after Sunday's 26-20 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans, dropping the Colts to 2-4.
## Assistant GM Steps In
Assistant GM Ed Dodds will oversee the personnel department for the remainder of the season.
## 2027 Draft Pick Status
Indianapolis doesn't own its 2027 first-round pick after sending it to the Jets in the Sauce Gardner trade.
## Trade Hypotheses
Analysts suggest trading players to recoup draft capital but warn against tearing the roster down to the studs.
## Jonathan Taylor
Taylor signed an extension in August, led the NFL with 20 total touchdowns last season and has seven rushing touchdowns this year.
## Quenton Nelson
Nelson is in the final year of his contract and scheduled to hit free agency after the season.
## DeForest Buckner
Buckner has four sacks through six games at 32 years old and is in the final year of his deal.
## Grover Stewart
Stewart has been a staple of Indianapolis' run defense for years and is in the final year of his contract.
## Charvarius Ward
Ward signed a three-year, $54 million deal in 2025 but his availability and production haven't lived up to the investment.
## Trade Deadline Focus
The Colts face difficult decisions before the Nov. 10 trade deadline or next offseason.
## Player Package Deal
Taylor and Nelson are a package deal that should be pillars of whatever comes next for the franchise.
## Key takeaway

Indianapolis may trade Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, Jonathan Taylor, Grover Stewart and Charvarius Ward to recoup draft capital before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.