Colts Fire General Manager Chris Ballard After Loss to Titans

The Indianapolis Colts have dismissed General Manager Chris Ballard, the team announced Monday morning. The decision follows a 26-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans, which dropped the Colts to a 2-4 record on the current season.

Ballard had served as the Colts' GM since 2017. The organization has faced a period of inconsistency since the unexpected retirement of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck before the 2019 season.

"I am grateful to Chris for his years of service to the Colts and for everything he poured into this organization," owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in a statement. "He cared deeply about our team and our community, and we wish Chris and his family all the best."

Irsay-Gordon emphasized the urgency for the team to meet its goals. "As I said at the start of the season, the sense of urgency has never been higher," the statement read. "Our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard. Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision. Waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now. We will conduct a thorough search for our next general manager and take the time necessary to identify the right leader for the future of this organization."

The owner also stressed that the team's objectives for the season remain unchanged. "I also want to be clear: this decision does not change our goals for the season," Irsay-Gordon stated. "We have a lot of football in front of us, and I expect us to compete, improve, and win football games."

The team is expected to begin a comprehensive search for a new general manager immediately.