Indianapolis Fires General Manager Chris Ballard After 2–4 Start
The move comes a day after a home loss to Tennessee, which had not won a game, and coach Shane Steichen stays
Chris Ballard is out as general manager in Indianapolis after a 26–20 home loss to the Tennessee Titans, who had been winless this season.
Indianapolis led 13–0 at halftime and outgained Tennessee 232–64 in the first half, but lost after a 58-yard punt return set up the tying score, a blocked punt was returned for a touchdown and Joey Slye kicked two late field goals. Daniel Jones threw two interceptions.
Ballard was hired in January 2017 and finishes 72–82–1 in the regular season and 1–2 in the playoffs, with no division titles. Indianapolis has not reached the playoffs since the 2020 season. His recent moves included a trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner and a two-year, $88 million extension for Jones in March.
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon kept coach Shane Steichen. Indianapolis, 2–4, plays unbeaten Minnesota next, and the trade deadline is November 10.
Indianapolis fired general manager Chris Ballard a day after a 26–20 home loss to the Tennessee Titans, who had not won a game this season.
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon kept coach Shane Steichen.
"Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision," Irsay-Gordon said in a statement. "Waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now."
Ballard was introduced as general manager on January 30, 2017. His teams went 72–82–1 in the regular season and 1–2 in the playoffs and did not win a division title. Indianapolis has not reached the playoffs since the 2020 season.
His recent moves included a trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner that included a 2027 first-round pick sent to the New York Jets, and signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million extension in March.
The loss to Tennessee was played on October 18 at Lucas Oil Stadium before 64,273. Indianapolis controlled the first half. Jones threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mo Alie-Cox, Spencer Shrader kicked field goals of 23 and 47 yards, and the Colts led 13–0 at halftime after outgaining Tennessee 232–64.
Slye kicked field goals of 29 and 56 yards in the third quarter to cut the lead to 13–6. Early in the fourth, a 58-yard punt return by Chimere Dike set up Cam Ward's 8-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate, which tied it 13–13. Less than three minutes later, Oluwafemi Oladejo returned a blocked punt 14 yards for a touchdown and a 20–13 Tennessee lead.
Jonathan Taylor ran 4 yards for a touchdown with 5:32 left to tie it again. Slye then kicked a 49-yard field goal with 2:03 left and a 44-yarder with 43 seconds left. Jones threw two interceptions.
Amani Hooker and Cor'Dale Flott made the interceptions for Tennessee, and Cam Bynum intercepted Ward for Indianapolis.
Jones completed 22 of 42 passes for 269 yards with a touchdown and was sacked six times. Taylor ran 21 times for 94 yards, and Keenan Allen caught eight passes for 82 yards. Indianapolis gained 399 yards to Tennessee's 186 and turned the ball over three times.
Ward completed 11 of 22 passes for 102 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Tate caught six passes for 70 yards, and Tony Pollard ran 19 times for 76 yards. Tennessee had the ball for 21:28, to 38:32 for Indianapolis, and was penalized eight times. Tennessee is 1–5.
Indianapolis, 2–4, plays at Minnesota, which is 5–0, next. The trade deadline is November 10.