Peyton Manning back in Indianapolis? Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s Colts could explore Hall of Famer for GM job to replace midseason fired general manager Chris Ballard (Image via Getty: Peyton Manning and Carlie Irsay-Gordon)
The legendary quarterback played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2010 and the Denver Broncos from 2012 to 2015. The Colts drafted him in the 1998 NFL Draft as their first-round, first-overall pick. Chris Ballard’s sudden midseason firing came following Indianapolis’ 26-20 loss to the winless Tennessee Titans.
Because now you own it – not just owe it, but own-own it, that’s like asking a general manager to pour your heart and soul into the game. He won two Super Bowls – one for the Colts and one for the Broncos.
The Indianapolis Colts could contact Peyton Manning to discuss his keen interest in the franchise’s top executive position, according to The Dan Patrick Show. Now that’s a full circle. Peyton Manning began his NFL journey playing for the Indianapolis Colts, and now he could be back with the Colts – as their general manager in a front-office role. Carlie Irsay-Gordon is hunting for a new GM; Manning fits the bill, but an ownership stake adds a completely different angle to it. If he becomes the GM for the franchise, there would literally be no better candidate than someone who has represented/played for the franchise for years together. This could have left a sour taste in owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s mouth. So many teams defeated the Titans; why couldn’t the Colts?
Anyhow, Ballard has served as the Colts’ general manager since 2017. The team missed the playoffs in all five seasons before his dismissal in October 2026. He saw two playoff appearances happen but failed to achieve postseason success. Irsay-Gordon has regularly emphasized the urgency of returning Indianapolis to championship contention. Her first step toward that much-coveted change is firing Chris Ballard.