Pat McAfee didn’t hold back when discussing the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to fire general manager Chris Ballard.
The former Colts punter addressed the move on “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday, questioning both the results and the culture established during Ballard’s tenure.
“He never won with the Colts,” McAfee said. “And I don’t think that he was doing it in a manner in which you could win.”
For McAfee, the criticism extended beyond individual roster decisions. He described the Colts’ culture as “soft” and contrasted it with what he saw from the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks during their preseason appearance on “Hard Knocks.”
“You watch the Seattle Seahawks’ Hard Knocks … they got a hard culture,” McAfee said. “They got a team that is accountable to each other.”
McAfee also discussed reports of missed meetings and rehabilitation sessions within the Colts organization, questioning the accountability surrounding the team. Those concerns informed his broader assessment of Ballard’s leadership.
“As GM, I thought his teams were never gonna be able to win,” he said.
BREAKING: CHRIS BALLARD, IN HIS 10th SEASON IN INDY, HAS BEEN FIRED AS @Colts GM pic.twitter.com/nURjGcXSFZ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 19, 2026
Indianapolis spent years searching for stability at quarterback following Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement before the 2019 season. Ballard remained in charge through those attempts before his dismissal six games into the 2026 campaign.
McAfee wished Ballard well in his next chapter, but made clear he believed Indianapolis needed a change.
And his interest goes beyond his former employer. McAfee described himself as a “very, very, very, very high-paying season-ticket holder” — one who now awaits the franchise’s next move.
