The Indianapolis Colts have entered a new era after dismissing former general manager Chris Ballard. Now, the organization faces one of its most important decisions in recent franchise history.
Finding the right person to lead the front office will be critical to Indianapolis’ future. The next general manager must evaluate the current roster, identify weaknesses, and build a team capable of competing for an AFC South championship.
Assistant general manager Ed Dodds is overseeing the personnel department for the remainder of the season. However, the Colts will eventually need to identify a permanent replacement who can establish a new direction.
Several promising executives around the NFL could become legitimate candidates. Here are five general manager prospects Indianapolis should consider.
1. John McKay – Los Angeles Rams Assistant General Manager
John McKay might be one of the more intriguing candidates available to Indianapolis. The Los Angeles Rams executive has steadily climbed through the organization’s personnel department since joining the franchise in 2016.
McKay spent several seasons working as a scouting assistant before becoming an assistant director of pro scouting. He eventually earned a promotion to director of pro personnel in 2021.
The Rams promoted McKay to assistant general manager in 2025. His responsibilities include evaluating NFL rosters, managing player acquisitions and departures, and contributing to college player evaluations. Working under general manager Les Snead has also provided McKay with valuable experience in one of the NFL’s more consistently competitive front offices.
Indianapolis could benefit from bringing in someone familiar with the Rams’ approach to roster construction. McKay’s experience evaluating professional talent could help the Colts address several immediate roster needs.
2. Adam Berry – Philadelphia Eagles Assistant General Manager
Adam Berry represents a different type of candidate for the Colts. Unlike many traditional NFL executives, Berry entered professional football after spending 14 years working at Goldman Sachs.
Philadelphia hired Berry in 2023 as its director of football operations and strategy. His previous experience in financial markets eventually helped him transition into football operations.
The Eagles promoted Berry to vice president of football operations and strategy before elevating him to assistant general manager during the 2026 offseason. His responsibilities extend beyond traditional scouting. Berry works with player evaluation, salary-cap management, contract negotiations, and resource allocation.
The integration of analytics into roster construction is another important part of his position. Indianapolis could benefit from a more modern approach to managing its roster. Berry’s financial background and experience working alongside Howie Roseman make him an interesting option.
The Colts need someone who understands both the football and business sides of building a competitive organization. Berry offers experience in both areas.
3. Ray Agnew – Detroit Lions Assistant General Manager
Ray Agnew brings something different to the table: extensive experience across multiple areas of professional football. Agnew has spent more than two decades working in NFL personnel. His career includes time as a player, player development director, pro scout, and front-office executive.
The former NFL defensive tackle originally joined the Detroit Lions in 2021. Agnew currently works alongside general manager Brad Holmes, helping oversee the organization’s player personnel department. Detroit’s recent success makes Agnew an especially interesting candidate.
The Lions have established themselves as one of the NFC’s strongest teams. Their roster construction and consistent success have made the organization an attractive example for franchises seeking a new direction.
Agnew also previously spent 18 seasons working within the Los Angeles Rams organization. That experience gives him familiarity with another respected NFL front office.
Indianapolis needs someone who understands how to develop a winning culture. Agnew’s extensive experience as both a player and executive could make him an excellent addition.
4. Jeff King – Chicago Bears Assistant General Manager
Jeff King is another rising executive who deserves consideration in Indianapolis. The Chicago Bears promoted King to assistant general manager in February 2026. The move followed a steady climb through the organization’s personnel department.
King originally joined Chicago as a scouting intern in 2015. He became a full-time pro scout the following season before eventually earning promotions within the organization.
His experience also includes seven seasons as an NFL tight end. King played for the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals before transitioning into the front office.
Chicago promoted King to director of pro scouting in 2020. He later became co-director of player personnel in 2022 before earning another promotion in 2024. That progression demonstrates the trust Chicago’s front office has placed in his evaluation abilities.
The Colts could benefit from an executive who understands the game from a player’s perspective. King’s background in professional scouting also provides valuable experience identifying talent. Although King is still relatively early in his executive career, his rapid progression makes him a name worth monitoring.
5. Matt Berry – Seattle Seahawks Assistant General Manager
Matt Berry rounds out this list as another executive with extensive experience inside a successful NFL organization. Berry has spent 19 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. His career includes several positions within the organization’s scouting and personnel departments.
Seattle originally promoted Berry to director of college scouting in 2015. He held that position for eight seasons before moving into a senior director of player personnel role.
Berry eventually became vice president of player acquisition in 2025. The Seahawks promoted him to assistant general manager in June 2026.
His responsibilities have included overseeing college and professional scouting operations. Berry has also played an important role in developing Seattle’s draft board and evaluating potential acquisitions.
Working alongside general manager John Schneider has given Berry valuable exposure to Seattle’s approach to building a competitive roster. Indianapolis needs an executive capable of identifying talent throughout the draft and free agency. Berry’s extensive experience in Seattle’s personnel department makes him a compelling candidate.
End Of My Indianapolis Colts GM Candidates Rant
The Indianapolis Colts cannot afford to make another mistake with their next general manager. Ballard spent nearly a decade leading the organization. Despite assembling talented rosters, Indianapolis struggled to consistently translate that talent into postseason success.
The next executive must bring a different perspective to the organization. Improving the roster, establishing a sustainable winning culture, and making difficult personnel decisions should all be priorities.
McKay, Berry, Agnew, King, and Berry each offer different strengths. Their backgrounds provide Indianapolis with several potential directions for its next era.
Ultimately, the Colts need more than another familiar name in the front office. They need someone who can turn the organization’s championship expectations into results.
