The Indianapolis Colts have opened the gates of speculation for the franchise’s future with the firing of general manager Chris Ballard on Monday.

Ballard led the Colts from 2017 to this season, and he never got the team on track long-term amid the sudden retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck in 2019.

The Colts made one playoff appearance in 2020 after Luck’s retirement, and Indianapolis faces a major crossroads this season with a 2–4 start.

Sweeping changes appear looming beyond just a general manager hire. A fire sale of trades could be in store for the Colts as the team looks at risk for a third consecutive losing season.

More firings could be on the way, too.

Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon has been clear she wants to make changes and get the franchise on track.

She took over as one of the owners when her father and former owner Jim Irsay passed away in 2025, and her father’s time as owner was a golden era for the Colts with quarterback Peyton Manning in the 2000s.

“​Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision,” Irsay-Gordon wrote in her statement on Monday.

“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.”

Potential Firings to Watch For

​There’s already speculation that head coach Shane Steichen could be next.

Steichen led the Colts to a 9–8 record in his first year, 2023, but the Colts’ losing seasons since then with no playoff appearances could lead to the same result for him.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo also appears on the hot seat. The Colts have the 27th-worst defense in the league with 27.3 points allowed per game.

He didn’t have the Colts’ defense performing much better last season with 24.2 points per game allowed, and Indianapolis needed even more then.

Indianapolis losing quarterback Daniel Jones to injury last year required the defense to step up, but a season-ending skid nixed playoff hopes instead.

Trade Candidates to Watch For

​The Colts could be parting ways with notable key players if a trade fire sale indeed happens in November.

That begins with 32-year-old defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler who has four sacks and 19 quarterback pressures already this season.

Running back Jonathan Taylor, 27, could even be in the mix because the Colts could get a huge return for the talented back, who has been an MVP candidate in the past.

Taylor has 492 yards rushing and seven touchdowns already, so the Colts trading him would signal a total overhaul.

Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson, 31, is another name to watch for. He’s one of the better guards in the league, and an interested team could compensate the Colts well.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen would make sense to trade, considering the wave of receiver injuries around the league.

The Colts could get compensation for him and clear needed salary cap space for a rebuild.

Backup quarterback Anthony Richardson could also be on the move.

The 2023 draft bust could net a good return for a quarterback-needy team, but not too much since the former Florida standout has yet to excel in the NFL.

Colts Not Waving White Flag Yet

​While moving on from a general manager midseason makes waves, Irsay-Gordon doesn’t want to insinuate sweeping changes for the team.

“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,” Irsay-Gordon wrote in her statement.

The Colts have shown potential with their wins, and two of the losses were by one score and one in overtime against the AFC-leading Kansas City Chiefs. 

That said, the trade deadline is Nov. 10, and the Colts will need a fast turnaround to justify being buyers instead of sellers at the trade deadline.

Things don’t get easier for the Colts anytime soon, which starts with a visit to the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (5–0) on Sunday for Week 7.

Indianapolis then visits the Jacksonville Jaguars and hosts the Dallas Cowboys, which means the Colts could slide to 2–7 quite easily before Nov. 10.