The future of Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano came into question after the team's disappointing 0-2 start to the season. The uncertainty doesn't seem to be letting up after losing to the New Orleans Saints in Week 7 to drop to 3-4 for the season.
Continue for updates.
Cole: Pagano Could Be Out in Indianapolis Over Bye Week
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Jason Cole of Bleacher Report passed along what he was hearing regarding Pagano's job security this season:
Pagano in 'Hot Water' with Irsay After Botched Fake Punt Attempt
Monday, Oct. 19
Cole reported Colts owner Jim Irsay is not happy with Pagano following the 34-27 loss to the Patriots on Sunday Night Football:
Pagano spoke on the play following the game, courtesy of ESPN's Mike Wells:
"I take responsibility there," Pagano said. "The whole idea there was, on a fourth-and-3 or less, shift to an alignment where you either catch them misaligned, they try to sub some people in, catch them with 12 men on the field. If you get a certain look, 3 yards, 2 yards, you can make a play. But again, we shifted over, and I didn't do a good enough job coaching it during the week.
"Alignment-wise, we weren't lined up correctly and then a communication breakdown between the quarterback and snapper. That's all on me. I take full responsibility on that, and I didn't do a good enough job getting that communicated to the guys. Obviously, it played in a huge factor in this loss."
Pagano Unsure He'll Be Coaching Colts Next Year
Sunday, Sept. 27
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, "Pagano has told people he has doubts he returns to Indy next year." The Colts are reportedly "wary" of the relationship between Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson, as there is tension between the two men, though Pagano's recent comments lamenting the play of the offensive line in recent years weren't a shot at Grigson, per Rapoport.
But Pagano's contract does expire after this season—he declined a one-year extension from the Colts in the offseason, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk—so if the Colts struggle or his relationship with Pagano continues to sour, the team might choose to simply not re-sign him to a new deal.
If Pagano goes, the Colts may decide to completely renovate their operations. As Florio noted, "The real question becomes whether owner Jim Irsay would clean house like he did in 2012 — or whether he’d keep the G.M. and hire a new coach like Irsay did in 2002."
Pagano has certainly had his fair share of success in his stint as head coach with the Colts. Despite the rocky start to this season, the Colts are 36-19 since becoming the team's coach in 2012—though Bruce Arians did have a stint as the team's head coach in 2012 while Pagano was recovering from cancer—and has led the team to three straight playoff berths.
Winning tends to cover all issues, so if Pagano and the Colts get back on track, the coach's future may be secure once more. But if there continues to be tension between Pagano and Grigson, not even winning may be enough to keep the pair together in Indianapolis next season.
