Main Story

Indianapolis fired longtime general manager Chris Ballard after the team’s collapse exposed years of roster and quarterback uncertainty. New owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon now faces a bigger choice: whether to retain coach Shane Steichen and how aggressively to rebuild. The recommended path is a fresh leadership team, trading veterans for future picks, and prioritizing a new quarterback and other premium positions.

By the Numbers
  • Indianapolis fell to 2-4 after losing to the previously winless Titans.
  • The Colts went 8-2 to start 2025, then 2-11 in their next 13 games.
  • Ballard’s record was 72-82-1 over nine seasons and six games; the team reached the playoffs twice.
  • Indianapolis gave the Jets two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
  • Quarterback Daniel Jones signed a two-year, $88 million deal after tearing his Achilles.
Yes, But

Ballard was widely respected for scouting and drafting, and the Colts’ roster still has quality players. Steichen also has a strong offensive track record, and Jones’ injury disrupted a promising start. But Ballard’s reluctance to spend on outside free agents left recurring roster holes, while the team’s record and recent collapse make a clean break plausible.

State of Play
  • Irsay-Gordon will lead the search for a new general manager; Steichen remains in place for now.
  • Steichen’s future likely depends on whether he can turn the season around.
  • Several veterans could draw trade interest, while Gardner, tight end Tyler Warren and select young linemen are viewed as core pieces.
  • Indianapolis does not control its first-round pick in the upcoming draft, making future-asset accumulation especially important.
What’s Next

The suggested plan is to trade expiring contracts and other veterans, then let a new general manager and coach shape the rebuild. Indianapolis should take another swing at quarterback and focus resources on high-impact positions such as quarterback, wide receiver and edge rusher. A return to contention by 2028 is possible, but only if the team commits to the longer-term plan.

Bottom Line

Ballard’s firing creates an opening to reset more than the front office. The Colts’ best chance to escape years of near-contention is to align their leadership, turn veteran talent into future assets and avoid sacrificing the rebuild for a quick fix.