- Chris Ballard’s exit in Indianapolis is more than a front-office change.
- The Colts became the first NFL team this season to make a major change at the head-coaching or general-manager level when they relieved Ballard of his duties.
- The organization also has now gone five straight seasons without a playoff appearance.
- For Pittsburgh, one of the names being floated is Josh Downs.
- DeForest Buckner is the other obvious name in the conversation.
- The Ballard firing has also revived a different kind of debate: what Indianapolis gave up in the Sauce Gardner trade.
Ballard’s firing turns the Colts into a league-wide trade board
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Sources & Referenced Reporting
- stillcurtain.com, “4 Colts trade candidates the Steelers could poach after Ballard firing,” Oct. 19, 2026.
- CBS Sports, “Colts fire GM Chris Ballard as pressure mounts on Shane Steichen, staff after back-to-back losses,” Oct. 19, 2026.
- torotimes.com, “The Texans could end up as colossal winners after Colts fire executive Chris Ballard,” Oct. 19, 2026.
- thejetpress.com, “Chris Ballard's firing proves that Jets robbed the Colts in Sauce Gardner trade,” Oct. 19, 2026.
- insidetheiggles.com, “Colts firing Chris Ballard has Eagles fans praying for Shane Steichen reunion,” Oct. 19, 2026.
- https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7704487/2026/10/19/colts-general-manager-chris-ballard-fired/
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