Shane Steichen on Chris Ballard's firing: "I don't think it falls completely on Chris"

Published October 19, 2026 02:39 PM In January, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon put both coach Shane Steichen and G.M. Chris Ballard on clear notice. On Monday, she fired Ballard.Steichen, who possibly remains in place only because there’s no viable interim replacement on his staff (and because the Jeff Saturday experiment has already been attempted), addressed the dismissal of Ballard with reporters on Monday.“It’s the shitty part of the business,” Steichen said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. “I don’t think it falls completely on Chris. I’m the head football coach. It takes all of us. Coaches, scouts, everybody.”He’s right, and Irsay-Gordon could be firing everybody, in time. For now, Ballard was the easiest person to replace in response to a devastating home loss to the previously winless Titans.Barring a turnaround from 2-4 to a playoff appearance, Ballard will soon have company in the category of former employees of the team. And while the absence of a clear choice to serve as interim coach may have saved Steichen for now, it’s hardly a guarantee that he’ll be in the job when the season ends.