The team announced its decision to move on from Ballard early Monday morning. The Colts opted to retain Ballard for a 10th season earlier this offseason despite a monumental collapse in the second half of last season that saw the team finish 8-9 after getting off to an 8-2 start. Ballard was hired as the Colts GM in 2017 and leaves with just two postseason berths and zero division titles to his name. The abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck before the start of the 2018 season presented an early challenge for Ballard to suddenly find a new QB, which often resulted in short-term answers to solve a long-term problem. After the likes of Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan, and Carson Wentz passed through the organization, the Colts finally selected Anthony Richardson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft in hopes of landing their guy. When it became apparent Richardson wasn’t the answer, the team signed Daniel Jones, who turned in a solid 2025 campaign and was rewarded with a two-year, $88 million contract earlier this offseason. Among the multiple missteps by Ballard during his Colts tenure is the trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner, whom he acquired in exchange for the team’s 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. Few GMs get the leash that Ballard was provided with by the Colts, but this felt like a move that was destined to happen now or at the end of the season. Now, the Colts can get a head start on their next GM search in what is shaping up to be another rough season. The team announced that head coach Shane Steichen will remain in his role for now.