The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday.

Team co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced it.

Ballard made the team's player decisions since 2017.

The move came one day after the Colts lost 26-20 to the Tennessee Titans.

The Colts led by 13 points at halftime.

The Titans had not won a game before this.

Home fans booed in the second half.

They chanted "Fire Ballard" and left early.

Irsay-Gordon said in a statement that the decision could not wait until the offseason.

She said the team's goal is to compete for championships.

She said a change in leadership was needed to meet that goal.

She said waiting would only delay important work.

That work needs to begin now.

She added that a search for Ballard's successor has already begun.

The Colts are 2-4.

They have not won the AFC South since 2014.

That is the longest title drought in the division.

Ballard changed the defense in the offseason.

But Indy allowed 1,029 yards in its first two games.

That is the second-highest two-game total in league history.

After Sunday's loss, coach Shane Steichen said he did not blame fans for booing.

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said he was sick and tired of the same song and dance every year.

Ballard's time with the team included Andrew Luck's sudden retirement in 2019.

It also included seven straight season openers with a different quarterback.

The Colts' last playoff appearance came in 2020.

The team drafted quarterback Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 pick in 2023.

That decision may ultimately have cost Ballard his job.

Irsay-Gordon said the change does not alter the team's goals for the season.

Indy visits unbeaten Minnesota next weekend.