Peyton Manning is an early frontrunner for the Indianapolis Colts general manager role, which opened for the first time in 10 years after Chris Ballard was fired
Chris Ballard was let go by the Colts after serving the franchise as general manager for 10 years
Chris Ballard was let go by the Colts after serving the franchise as general manager for 10 years(Image: Getty Images)
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The Indianapolis Colts’ first call over their vacant general manager position will go to Peyton Manning, according to Dan Patrick.
On Sunday, the Colts fell to 2-4 in the 2026 season. But defeat to their AFC South rivals, the previously winless Tennessee Titans, proved to be the final straw for Chris Ballard and his directionless Colts.
Following a hot start last season, the Colts made a big swing for Sauce Gardner, but the heavy price of two first-round picks has not paid off. Daniel Jones was also rewarded with a lucrative contract after an Achilles tear, and his form has deserted him in 2026; he has thrown for 1,290 yards and four touchdowns while tossing six interceptions.
Across Ballard's 10 seasons in Indianapolis, the Colts never won the AFC South while every other team in the division won it at least twice. As a result, Ballard is out as Colts GM.
For the first time in a decade, the Colts are on the lookout for a new GM. According to a source at the Dan Patrick Show, a familiar face in the form of franchise legend Manning could return to Lucas Oil Stadium and take the role for himself. At the very least, Manning is set to be called upon for his input on who the next GM should be.
"The Colts' first call will be/has been to Peyton Manning," Patrick said, allegedly reading a source from his phone. "The call will not only get names and suggestions, but the call will explore whether or not Peyton would be interested in being a GM for the Colts as the entry point. That would include ownership interest in the Colts. This would be the first major hire by the Jim Irsay sisters- the next generation."
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Peyton Manning has worked in television since retiring from the NFL as a Super Bowl champion
Peyton Manning has worked in television since retiring from the NFL as a Super Bowl champion(Image: Getty Images)
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Patrick then added, "So now you have an opportunity to put Peyton back in Indy as a GM and part owner. And he gets to pick his quarterback. So now, all of a sudden, the community is going to love this. The league would love this. Would Peyton love this? So that's the information I just got.
"I don't know if an offer or I'm sure that the Irsay sisters reached out to Peyton. I would expect that to happen. Doing your due diligence, why wouldn't you? I brought this up to the late Jim Irsay a couple of years ago. I said, ‘Hey, would you ever think about Peyton as a part owner?’ He wasn't interested in selling anything, even to Peyton. Now it's different."
Ballard departs Indianapolis with a regular-season record of 72-82-1 and a 1-2 record in the postseason. It’s unclear what interest Manning might have in the role, although other Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks have stepped up in the past; John Elway helped the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50.
Ultimately, the Colts have been below expectations in 2026. Their defense has ranked among the worst in the NFL, surrendering massive yardage totals, missing routine tackles, and generating very low pressure on opposing quarterbacks under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Meanwhile, turnovers have been frequent and costly; Jonathan Taylor fumbled against the Titans, while Jones tossed two picks.
After the loss to Tennessee, Colts star defensive lineman DeForest Buckner was visibly furious. When asked about the fans' frustrations, given the loss was at Lucas Oil Stadium, Buckner said: ”They’re upset. We lost to the Tennessee Titans, who were 0-5, and now they're 1-5.”
He added: "I'm sick and tired of the same song and dance every year."
The 2-4 Colts are next in action on the road at the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 25.