The Indianapolis Colts have fired general manager Chris Ballard following the team's disappointing start to the 2026 NFL season.
Ballard was hired as back in 2017 and departs with a record of 72-82-1 having reached the playoffs just twice during his time in charge.
The Colts were beaten 26-20 by the Tennessee Titans in Week Six to fall to 2-4 as they bid to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Ballard's only playoff win in Indianapolis came in the 2018-19 campaign when the Colts defeated the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round, before being eliminated by the Kansas City Chiefs the following week.
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"I am grateful to Chris for his years of service to the Colts and for everything he poured into this organisation. He cared deeply about our team and our community, and we wish Chris and his family all the best," said Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon in a statement.
"As I said at the start of the season, the sense of urgency has never been higher. Our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard.
"Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision. Waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now. We will conduct a thorough search for our next general manager and take the time necessary to identify the right leader for the future of this organisation.
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"I also want to be clear: this decision does not change our goals for the season. We have a lot of football in front of us, and I expect us to compete, improve, and win football games."
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The Colts had appeared on course to thrust their way among the NFL's perennial contenders in 2018 when Andrew Luck flourished on his way to winning Comeback Player of the Year, while Ballard delivered inspired Draft picks in left guard Quenton Nelson and linebacker Shaquille Leonard.
A defining setback to the Ballard era arrived in 2019 when Luck stunned the NFL by announced his shock retirement, plunging the Colts into quarterback purgatory from which they have never quite recovered.
The Colts cycled through the likes of Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan to little avail under center, while head coach Frank Reich was fired mid-way through the 2022 season to create further uncertainty over the direction of the franchise.
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Ballard sought to find his next quarterback of the future at the 2023 NFL Draft when he used the No 4 overall pick on Anthony Richardson, who was unable to translate his sparkling college impact into success on the biggest stage.
His failure to assert himself as a long-term answer under Shane Steichen would pave the way for Daniel Jones to resurrect his career by way of an 8-2 start in 2025, before injuries proved a catalyst for the Colts collapsing out of playoff contention.
Jones was then handed a two-year $88m extension this past offseason, but has struggled upon his return from injury.
Right now not even the influence of offensive heartbeat Jonathan Taylor looks enough to fuel an Indianapolis playoff threat this time. Ultimately, a failure to find the answer at quarterback in life after Luck has cost Ballard.