28 candidates to be the Colts next general manager after Chris Ballard was fired

INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time in a decade, the Colts are looking for a new general manager. Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday after nine-plus seasons, a 72-82-1 record and only two playoff berths, making the move that has been speculated ever since the team's utter collapse in 2022. Irsay-Gordon plans to start searching for the franchise's next architect soon. "Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision," Irsay-Gordon wrote. "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. Identifying a list of potential replacements at general manager is difficult, but here's a list of potential candidates. Ray Agnew, Lions assistant GM He's had experience at every level of football: player, team pastor, player development director and pro scouting director. Detroit's rise during his tenure and that background should make him an excellent candidate but he's also 58, which may worry some teams. Agnew was a candidate for Minnesota's open general manager job in 2026. Tariq Ahmad, 49ers vice president player personnel Ahmad has been a 49ers executive since 2021, previously serving as a scout for the team. He was an offensive lineman at Division Ithaca College, became and assistant with the program then went to Rutgers before joining the 49ers. Miami requested an interview with Ahmad last season for their general manager position. Chad Alexander, Chargers assistant GM Alexander started in the highly regarded Baltimore Ravens front office before moving to the Jets and, now, the Chargers. Los Angeles was successful despite injuries last season, an issue for the Colts under Ballard, but this season could sour his candidacy a bit. Alexander was a candidate for both Miami and Minnesota's general manager jobs in 2026, after being a candidate in Las Vegas in 2025. Mark Azevedo, Ravens director of player personnel The Ravens are known for producing successful NFL executives and Azevedo has experience on the college and pro sides there. He was recently bumped up to director of player personnel, putting him closer to the decision-making process, providing necessary experience to become a GM. Adam Berry, Eagles assistant GM Berry is in his fourth season with the Eagles, first as assistant general manager after previously serving as vicepresident of football operations and strategy. He joined the Eagles from a 14-year career at Goldman Sachs, where he was serving as managing director and head of U.S. loan trading. Matt Berry, Seahawks assistant GM John Schneider has had a long, successful run in Seattle and Berry was already with the organization when Schneider was hired. Berry previously served as college scouting director and has added duties on the pro side with his recent promotion. He interviewed in Tennessee last season and was promoted to his current position in the offseason. Mike Bradway, Chiefs assistant GM Bradway was a member of the Eagles front office prior to joining the Chiefs, giving him experience with two of the NFL's most successful franchises. He's worked the college and pro sides of the front office and is the son of former Jets GM Terry Bradway. Bradway's clearly a candidate who has NFL interest; Atlanta interviewed Bradway for the general manager job in 2026. Brandon Brown, Giants assistant GM In his fifth season with the Giants, Brown has been a key figure in the team's front office under Joe Schoen. He was a finalist for the Raiders general manager position and also worked for the Eagles. Brown was a candidate for the Jaguars in 2025. Reed Burckhardt, Broncos assistant GM Burckhardt, Denver's assistant general manager the past two seasons, was a candidate for Minnesota's job last year, in large part because he spent the first 13 years of his career with the Vikings . Burckhardt was initially hired in Denver as the team's director of player personnel in 2022, then promoted two years later. Glenn Cook, Browns assistant GM and vice president of player personnel The Browns' surprising success this season make a candidate from the franchise a bit more interesting as the team has been known for its analytical bent. Cook has been with Cleveland for a decade but previously worked under Bill Polian in Indianapolis. Ryan Cowden, Patriots vice president of player personnel Joined the Patriots when Mike Vrabel was hired after two seasons with the New York Giants. Cowden played a role in the immediate transformation of New England's roster under Vrabel, an appealing idea for this Colts franchise. Considered an excellent talent evaluator. Joe Douglas, Eagles vice president of player personnel Douglas is best-known as the general manager of the New York Jets from 2019-2024, a star-crossed tenure that hasn't kept the NFL from thinking about giving him another chance. Douglas interviewed with the Falcons for the general manager job in the winter. Ed Dodds, Colts assistant GM It seems unlikely the Colts would retain Ballard's assistant for the position but Dodds has been highly regarded in the NFL, helping build the Seahawks into a Super Bowl winner as a scout. He was a finalist for the Titans general manager position after last season. John Ferrari, Eagles assistant GM Has been assistant GM since 2022 after serving as the team's vice president of football operations and compliance. Has been with the organiation since 2013. RJ Gillan, 49ers assistant GM Served on the pro side of the operation prior to his promotion to assistant general manager last season. He oversees the team's player personnel operations, including the pro and college sides, while holding a role in roster construction and day-to-day operations. Gillen was a candidate for the Dolphins and Vikings jobs in 2026. Terrence Gray, Bills assistant GM Gray interviewed with the Raiders, Chargers, Jaguars and Titans over the last two offseason according to media reports. He got his start as a college scout in Minnesota, joined Buffalo as scouting director in 2017 and has been a key figure in its front office during its rise with quarterback Josh Allen. Gray was interviewed for Minnesota's general manager job last year, and he was a candidate for Tennessee and Jacksonville's jobs the year prior. Mike Greenberg, Buccaneers assistant GM Greenberg was a cap expert but has risen to establish himself more broadly with Tampa Bay. He was integral to building a Super Bowl-winning roster around Tom Brady then pivoting to keep the Buccaneers competitive (albeit in the NFC South) in the aftermath of the Hall of Fame quarterback. Brian Hampton, 49ers assistant GM In his second season as an assistant general manager after serving as vice president, football administration and director of football administration and analytics. Hampton, who has been with the 49ers since 2003, is the team's primary contract negotiator and a key figure in constructing the roster. Catherine Hickman, Browns assistant GM Hickman is involved with roster construction, player evaluation and football operations with the Browns after starting her professional life as a tax lawyer. She started in the CFL as an intern and has risen through front offices in football. She would be the first woman to be an NFL general manager. Jeff King, Bears assistant GM Spent nine years in the NFL as a tight end, then got into scouting. His role has increased under Ryan Poles and has earned the respect of his team's coaches for his ability to adapt to their needs, recently being promoted to assist general manager. Peyton Manning, Colts legend Manning's name has come up as a potential candidate ever since his retirement, and it will be speculated again. Every time Manning has been asked about his desire for the job, he's rebuffed the inquiry, saying he's focused on Omaha Productions and his work with ESPN, but he will be a persistent rumor every time an opening happens. Nick Matteo, Ravens vice president of football operations Another Ravens executive, of course. Matteo has also worked for the NFL, has been a key figure in player negotiations and is familiar with the analytics end of the front office, something that would likely appeal to principal team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. James Liipfert, Texans assistant general manager Liipfert has been a rising star in league circles for a long time, a candidate who was a finalist for the Falcons in 2026. Liipfert spent nine seasons rising in New England, then left for the Texans in 2018 to become the team's director of college scouting before moving up to assistant general manager in 2025. Widely recognized as an excellent evaluator and drafter, Liipfert comes from the college scouting background that often produces general managers. Liipfert had two interviews with Atlanta in 2026. John McKay, Rams assistant GM The Rams' front office has been a popular spot for other NFL teams finding their executives with McKay -- his father, Rich, and grandfather, John, are or were NFL executives -- moving up the ranks because of it. His experience has been primarily on the pro side. McKay interviewed with the Dolphins and Vikings last year. Chris Shea, Chiefs assistant GM Shea was promoted after Tennessee hired Mike Borgonzi was hired as Tennessee's GM. Shea got experience with college scouting and the salary cap early in his career in Philadelphia but had focused on the cap side in Kansas City. His broad array of experience could be appealing. Andy Weidl, Steelers assistant GM Yet another former Ravens executive but also with experience in Philadelphia. Weidl is a former college scout who now is heavily involved in the scouting department with the Steelers, and he was interviewed by the Falcons for their general manager job in January. Josh Williams, 49ers director of scouting and football operations A member of the 49ers front office since 2011, he's been a pro and college scout moving up quickly to a prominent role in the scouting and player development departments and contract negotiations. Williams is another candidate who already has NFL interest; he interviewed for Atlanta in January, and he was a finalist for the Jaguars in 2025. Richmond Williams, Packers director of player personnel Williams has risen in the Green Bay front office after playing cornerback at Iowa. He has experience on the college and pro sides in scouting, and in his first year in his current position. Dave Ziegler, Titans assistant GM Ziegler's another potential candidate who has a failed former tenure on his resume, earning two years of ill-fated experience with the Raiders. Ziegler's been in Tennessee the past two years, but the Vikings interviewed Ziegler for their general manager job last year. Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter .