Ed Dodds to lead Colts personnel department after Chris Ballard’s firing
The assistant general manager will oversee personnel moves for the rest of the season while Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon searches for Ballard’s replacement.
Ed Dodds will lead the Indianapolis Colts’ personnel department for the rest of the season after general manager Chris Ballard’s firing on October 19, according to the Indianapolis Star and NBC Sports. The move puts Dodds in charge of personnel decisions while owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon searches for Ballard’s replacement, with the Colts at 2-4 and the NFL trade deadline approaching.
What Ed Dodds will oversee for the Colts
Dodds’ interim responsibility covers personnel moves, the Indianapolis Star reported. Head coach Shane Steichen and football staff outside the personnel department will report to ownership. Irsay-Gordon leads the franchise’s football side, so the reporting structure keeps coaching staff outside Dodds’ remit.
NBC Sports said the Colts hired Dodds as vice president of player personnel in 2017. He has been assistant general manager since 2018 and worked with Ballard for more than nine years, according to the Indianapolis Star. He has also been a candidate for general manager jobs elsewhere. NBC Sports raised a permanent promotion as a possibility; Irsay-Gordon is beginning a search for Ballard’s replacement.
Trade deadline decisions and the Colts’ season goals
The NFL trade deadline falls on November 10 at 4 p.m. Eastern time, giving Dodds a short window to weigh any deals. During the season, the personnel department also works on injury replacements, roster moves to fill openings and injury-list decisions, the Indianapolis Star reported. NBC Sports said Dodds could be involved in key roster decisions before the deadline.
Indianapolis reached 2-4 after a 26-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Indianapolis Star discussed trading players as one possible route to a rebuild, but reported that Irsay-Gordon had given no indication she was ready for one. The decision to change general managers does not itself establish a plan to trade players.
In her statement announcing Ballard’s firing, Irsay-Gordon said the decision did not change the team’s goals for this season. ‘We have a lot of football in front of us, and I expect us to compete, improve and win football games,’ she said, as quoted by the Indianapolis Star. Dodds will manage personnel under that stated goal as the search for a permanent general manager proceeds.
Read in depth: Sports
Bayern Munich point to home record before Arsenal Champions League clash
Bayern host Arsenal in Munich on Wednesday with a strong record in the fixture, though the visitors bring a long winning run in the competition's opening phase.
Notre Dame’s BYU loss raises questions about defensive alignment and receiver rotation
A One Foot Down analysis of the October 17 game points to first-half defensive confusion and a narrow receiver rotation, while noting a stronger finish by Notre Dame’s defense.
Sources and context
- Ed Dodds will lead Colts personnel department; here's what it means for Shane Steichen, rebuildIndianapolis Star (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Dodds to lead Colts' personnel dept. rest of yearNBC Sports; item credits Tom Pelissero as source
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.