About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, colts that run too many tough races tend to break down. That's also apparently true of Indianapolis Colts general managers. And everyone, team co-owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon chief among them, could see Chris Ballard, whose contract was set to expire, was on his last legs. And with her team no threat to reach the winner's circle this season, Irsay-Gordon mercifully relieved him of his duties.
"As I said at the start of the season, the sense of urgency has never been higher. Our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard," Irsay-Gordon said in a statement Monday, Oct. 19, while firing Ballard and thanking him for his decade of service.
"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.
"I also want to be clear: this decision does not change our goals for the season. We have a lot of football in front of us, and I expect us to compete, improve, and win football games."
Houston Texans' Jawhar Jordan rushes in to score their fourth touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Wembley Stadium, London. (Paul Childs, Action Images via Reuters) New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) tackles New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson (43) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images) Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images) Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine, Imagn Images) New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images) New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (32) runs with the ball in the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. (David Butler II, Imagn Images) 1 / 6 NFL Week 6 highlights, standout performances and reactions Houston Texans' Jawhar Jordan rushes in to score their fourth touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Wembley Stadium, London. (Paul Childs, Action Images via Reuters) 1 / 6 NFL Week 6 highlights, standout performances and reactions Houston Texans' Jawhar Jordan rushes in to score their fourth touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Wembley Stadium, London. (Paul Childs, Action Images via Reuters) 2 / 6 NFL Week 6 highlights, standout performances and reactions New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) tackles New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson (43) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images) 3 / 6 NFL Week 6 highlights, standout performances and reactions Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images) 4 / 6 NFL Week 6 highlights, standout performances and reactions Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine, Imagn Images) 5 / 6 NFL Week 6 highlights, standout performances and reactions New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images) 6 / 6 NFL Week 6 highlights, standout performances and reactions New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (32) runs with the ball in the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. (David Butler II, Imagn Images) NFL owners should want to urgently win, and Irsay-Gordon's late father would appreciate her commitment on that front. (And why does anybody give her guff for patrolling the sideline during games and charting plays, as if Jerry Jones wouldn't still be doing it if he wasn't 84? A column for another time.) But there was also no reason to keep Ballard − the Colts won one playoff game during his tenure and hadn't even reached postseason since 2020 − with the writing on the wall, and the time is nigh for "the important work that needs to begin now."
As for clinging to the goal of competing this season? Nah.
Ballard is gone. The flawed, desperate roster he built in recent seasons – which broke from his early philosophy of drafting, developing and re-signing players – remains … and showed Sunday that it wasn't up to the task of defeating even the hapless (and previously winless) Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts are 2-4. They're currently in 12th place overall in the AFC. Next up on their schedule: trips to Minnesota, to face the undefeated Vikings, and Jacksonville, home of the first-place Jaguars.
It's over – at least in terms of whatever Irsay-Gordon hoped her team could achieve in 2026. But there is opportunity here, especially with the new front office void.
When Ballard took over in 2017, he thought he was inheriting a roster that could be rebuilt around quarterback Andrew Luck. That lasted two years before the No. 1 pick of the 2012 draft and seemingly worthy successor to Peyton Manning stunningly retired during the 2019 preseason. Ballard then embarked on a necessary, but ever-urgent, quest to replace Luck – one that involved Carson Wentz, Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, an aging Philip Rivers and an ancient Philip Rivers , among others.
The steadily diminishing returns behind center became inversely proportional to the high-risk gambles Ballard took to compensate elsewhere. A second contract for Jones earlier this year. A nine-figure extension for wideout Alec Pierce, who's never caught 50 passes in a season and almost certainly won't this year. Shipping off veterans Michael Pittman Jr. and Zaire Franklin to offset a swelling salary cap.
And last year's deadline trade for New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, an attempt to go for the brass ring when Jones was playing atypically decent football, might be the one that sets the Colts back another three or four years.
Neither Jones, who has reverted to form with nine turnovers in six games this season, nor Richardson – the highly talented, highly inexperienced, highly inconsistent and sometimes immature QB Ballard drafted fourth overall three years ago – is the answer here. And the Gardner gambit cost Indy its first-round pick this year and, worse, next year, when there could be a bountiful crop of young QB talent. Indianapolis' 2027 first-round pick currently projects as No. 10 overall ... but will quite likely wind up closer to the top five. Nice job, Jets. So what to do now?
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game. (Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Week 5: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium. New England wore its legendary "Pat Patriot" throwback for the 45-17 win. (David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Week 5: Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers debuted their "Rivalries" uniforms - featuring a color palette has been slightly altered with "desaturated vintage green" jerseys and "alabaster" pants and helmets trimmed with the team’s familiar gold. The Packers won the game over their ancient rivals, 31-7. (Wm. Glasheen/Appleton Post-Cresc, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Week 4: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates with AJ Dillon (28) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the "Sunday Night Football" game at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game. (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Week 4: New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston throws during a 36-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. The Giants wore throwback uniforms reminiscent of the team's look in the 1980s on a day when the team celebrated its Super Bowl championship during the 1986 season. (Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Week 4: Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns wore their "Alpha Dawg" alternate uniform for the "Thursday Night Football" game. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Week 3: Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) celebrates with long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) after Shrader kicked a 58-yard field goal against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts debuted their "Anvil Strike" uniform - featuring an unfamiliar gray uniform and glossy, metallic blue helmet with the familiar horseshoe logo in white. The Colts won, 19-17, for their first win of the season.
Week 3: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook III against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Highmark Stadium. For the game, the Bills debuted their "Nickel City" alternate uniforms - the most striking element being the blue "Charge Helmet," adorned simply with an oversized cutout of the team's familiar logo. The Bills won the game, 24-16 .
Week 2: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball to running back Kyren Williams (23) during a 28-6 win on "Monday Night Football" against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. The Rams debuted their new "Classic Sol" uniforms, an homage to the team's look during its 1951 championship season.
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) hands off to running back Jeremiyah Love against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their desert-themed "Rivalries" uniforms in the 31-7 loss to the Seahawks. Arizona's "Rivalries" look was one of the best to debut in 2025 .
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens' Trey Hendrickson (91) reacts after a sack against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens wore their "White Noise" uniforms, just one of the team's new uniform combinations that will debut during the 2026 season. The Ravens lost the game, 24-17.
Week 2: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets debuted their "White Out" uniforms for their home opener, which ended in a 20-17 overtime loss.
1 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game. (Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game. (Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 5: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium. New England wore its legendary "Pat Patriot" throwback for the 45-17 win. (David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 5: Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers debuted their "Rivalries" uniforms - featuring a color palette has been slightly altered with "desaturated vintage green" jerseys and "alabaster" pants and helmets trimmed with the team’s familiar gold. The Packers won the game over their ancient rivals, 31-7. (Wm. Glasheen/Appleton Post-Cresc, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 4: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates with AJ Dillon (28) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the "Sunday Night Football" game at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game. (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 5 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 4: New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston throws during a 36-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. The Giants wore throwback uniforms reminiscent of the team's look in the 1980s on a day when the team celebrated its Super Bowl championship during the 1986 season. (Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 6 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 4: Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns wore their "Alpha Dawg" alternate uniform for the "Thursday Night Football" game. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 7 / 18 Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season Week 3: Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) celebrates with long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) after Shrader kicked a 58-yard field goal against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts debuted their "Anvil Strike" uniform - featuring an unfamiliar gray uniform and glossy, metallic blue helmet with the familiar horseshoe logo in white. The Colts won, 19-17, for their first win of the season.
Week 3: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook III against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Highmark Stadium. For the game, the Bills debuted their "Nickel City" alternate uniforms - the most striking element being the blue "Charge Helmet," adorned simply with an oversized cutout of the team's familiar logo. The Bills won the game, 24-16 .
Week 2: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball to running back Kyren Williams (23) during a 28-6 win on "Monday Night Football" against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. The Rams debuted their new "Classic Sol" uniforms, an homage to the team's look during its 1951 championship season.
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) hands off to running back Jeremiyah Love against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their desert-themed "Rivalries" uniforms in the 31-7 loss to the Seahawks. Arizona's "Rivalries" look was one of the best to debut in 2025 .
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens' Trey Hendrickson (91) reacts after a sack against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens wore their "White Noise" uniforms, just one of the team's new uniform combinations that will debut during the 2026 season. The Ravens lost the game, 24-17.
Week 2: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets debuted their "White Out" uniforms for their home opener, which ended in a 20-17 overtime loss.
The next guy Irsay-Gordon needs to let go of is Jonathan Taylor – and before he breaks down, too.
The 27-year-old Pro Bowl running back currently ranks sixth in the NFL with 492 rushing yards, and his seven touchdowns are two off the league lead. He also presents a midseason reset opportunity, as Christian McCaffrey did for the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
Put Taylor on the block , and he might be the most coveted player on the market ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline . And if you're thinking Taylor's new contract isn't movable after he signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August, think again. The Colts would only take a $10 million cap hit next year if they deal Taylor, given he has no guarantees in either 2027 or 2028. Place a call to Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider already – maybe even ask for first-round rookie back Jadarian Price as part of the compensation.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 30: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) And the Colts may as well try a fire sale.
Perennial All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and defensive captain DeForest Buckner are both north of 30 and headed into free agency in 2027. Buckner is still among the league's premier interior disruptors. And while it's rare to see a top-end blocker traded midseason, Nelson, 30, remains among the league's best at his position. And if the Philadelphia Eagles can get a second-round pick back for Cam Jurgens , then what might Nelson fetch?
It might even be worth taking 50 cents on the dollar to spin Gardner off given the Jets structured his four-year extension with large base salaries – meaning his contract isn't all that hard to export if a buyer can be found.
And unfair as stripping down the roster is to head coach Shane Steichen – and the very capable offensive architect has been subject to all kinds of unfair during his three-plus seasons and should be commended for going 27-30 anyway and may well deserve the chance to stick around into 2027 and beyond – Irsay-Gordon would probably help entice better GM candidates by luring them with a clean slate and fresh draft capital rather than asking someone new to come in and start by doing dirty work, the way the winless Miami Dolphins have with their new brain trust.
"I'm pissed. We're all pissed," Irsay-Gordon said in January, after the Colts lost their final seven games following an 8-2 start to the 2025 season while also explaining her decision to retain Ballard and Steichen.
Don't get mad. Get even – busier rebuilding. It's beyond time.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: With GM fired, flailing Colts need to trade Jonathan Taylor | Opinion
Source: Sports
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