Colts Fire GM Chris Ballard After 2-4 Start; Dan Patrick Says Peyton Manning Is First Call, Local Reporter Says No Call Yet

The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, Oct. 19, one day after a 26-20 home loss to the Tennessee Titans dropped the team to 2-4.

The Titans had been 0-5. The Colts blew a 13-0 halftime lead, and fans booed and chanted "Fire Ballard."

Ballard leaves with a 72-82-1 regular-season record over 10 seasons and a 1-2 mark in the playoffs. Indianapolis made the postseason twice under him, in 2018 and 2020, and never won an AFC South title.

The owner's case

Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in a statement that she was grateful for Ballard's service, but that "a change in leadership is necessary" to meet the team's standard of competing for championships.

"Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision," she said. "Waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now." She said the team will "conduct a thorough search" and take the time necessary to find the right leader. She also said the move "does not change our goals for the season."

She had told Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen in the offseason that results had to improve quickly. Steichen's status has not been addressed in the owner's statement.

Quarterback problems

Quarterback has been the defining issue. The Colts have started seven different quarterbacks since Andrew Luck retired in 2019. This offseason they signed Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million contract. Through six games, the 2-4 Colts have not gotten that kind of return from him.

Ballard also drafted Anthony Richardson Sr., who did not become the franchise answer.

The Peyton Manning report

On Monday's edition of The Dan Patrick Show, Patrick read a message from a league source. "The Colts' first call will be/has been to Peyton Manning," Patrick said. He said the call would seek names and suggestions, and would also explore whether Manning would be interested in being GM "as the entry point that would include ownership interest in the Colts."

Patrick said it would be the first major hire for the daughters of the late Jim Irsay. "The community is going to love this. The league would love this. Would Peyton love this?"

That is one source, relayed on air, and it has not been confirmed by the team or by Manning. Mike Chappell of Fox59/CBS4 has since reported that the Colts have not yet reached out to Manning, though he noted that does not mean they won't.

There is also a structural wrinkle. NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk wrote that, under league rules, Manning could not be given equity as part of GM pay. In its telling, he could be invited separately to buy a stake in the team. Patrick said he once asked Irsay whether he would consider bringing Manning in as a part owner, and that Irsay had no interest in selling any piece of the team.

Would Manning want it?

Manning is 50. He led the Colts to their Super Bowl title in the 2006 season and retired in 2016. He now runs Omaha Productions and co-hosts the ManningCast with his brother Eli on Monday Night Football.

He has turned down overtures before. Awful Announcing reported that ESPN executives flew to Denver in 2018 to recruit him for the Monday Night Football booth and he declined. ESPN has since signed a nine-year extension with Omaha Productions through 2034.

NBC Sports' take is that a GM job would become Manning's professional focal point and likely end the ManningCast. It argues that if he wanted that life, "he probably already would be" living it. That is the writer's view, not anything Manning has said.

Trade chips

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer posted on X that it will be interesting to see whether pricey veterans DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor become available. He pointed to Miami moving players before the deadline last year after firing GM Chris Grier.

Buckner has four sacks this season, which ranks 10th in the league. Taylor has 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, second in the league in rushing touchdowns. Newsweek reported that most analysts believe Taylor could bring first- and third-round picks, and Buckner a second-rounder plus a late pick. Those are analyst estimates, not offers.

The Colts have not said whether they will sell. The new GM, whoever it is, will inherit a 2-4 roster, an expensive quarterback and a fan base that was chanting for this move on Sunday. It remains unclear whether Manning's name is a genuine target or just talk-show speculation.