The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday after a 2-4 start to the season, CBS Sports and ESPN reported. The move followed back-to-back losses, the most recent against the previously winless Tennessee Titans, CBS Sports reported. The Colts lost that game 26-20 on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, the team said on its website.

"I am grateful to Chris for his years of service to the Colts and for everything he poured into this organization," owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in a statement, according to CBS Sports. "Our standard is to compete for championships, and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to meet that standard," she said, CBS Sports and ESPN reported.

In the full statement on the team's website, Irsay-Gordon said making the change during the season was "a deliberate decision" and that the team will conduct a thorough search for its next general manager. She said the decision does not change the team's goals for this season.

Ballard was in his 10th season leading the Colts, ESPN reported. The Colts went 72-82-1 under him and made the playoffs twice, in 2018 and 2020, with a single playoff win, ESPN reported. The team's current five-year playoff drought is its longest since a seven-year drought from 1988 to 1994, ESPN reported.

Ballard had been under pressure since the second half of last season, when the Colts lost seven straight games and eight of their final nine, CBS Sports reported. When Irsay-Gordon kept Ballard and the coaching staff after that finish, she set the expectation that the team must improve in 2026, CBS Sports reported. Ballard was in the final year of his contract, ESPN reported.

CBS Sports reported that pressure is mounting on head coach Shane Steichen and his staff.

What we know: The Colts fired Ballard on Monday and will search for a new general manager.
What we don't: Who the Colts will hire as their next general manager, and whether coach Shane Steichen keeps his job.