The Indianapolis Colts aren't likely to re-sign Chuck Pagano to a contract extension before the 2015 season begins, but it's not for a total lack of trying. Pagano turned down a one-year contract extension, according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4 in Washington D.C. Pagano is entering the last year of his four-year contract.
Chuck Pagano reportedly turns down 1-year contract extension
Chuck Pagano reportedly turned down a one-year contract extension and is just focusing on this season, though he hopes to remain with the Colts.
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Pagano could be angling for a deal with better longterm security if the Colts find success next season, but the coach himself gave a statement to Stephen Holder of the Indy Star, saying that he’s only concentrating on “today,” and that his only focus is on this offseason:
Reached out to #Colts coach Chuck Pagano regarding his contract situation. Here is his response. pic.twitter.com/t2fHhvh2Vg
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 28, 2015 The Colts made the AFC Championship Game last season, though they suffered a blowout loss to the eventual NFL champion New England Patriots. Still, by making it to the third weekend of the playoffs, the Colts' improved in the postseason for a third consecutive year. Pagano's Colts have won 11 regular season games during each of his three seasons, but have gone from losing in the Wild Card, to losing in the Divisional round, to coming within a game of the Super Bowl.
Pagano has truly been evaluated for only two full seasons after missing most of 2012 while battling cancer. And while the Colts did a reasonably good job winning games the last two years, they played in one of the NFL’s weakest divisions. The defense has struggled at times under the defensive-minded head coach, finishing 26th and 20th in yards allowed in 2012 and 2013, respectively, before improving to 11th last season.
The Colts appear to be an improved team heading into 2015. The franchise obtained veteran offensive playmakers Andre Johnson and Frank Gore in free agency, and may have fixed their crippling run defense with the additions of Trent Cole and Kendall Langford in the front seven. Assuming another year of improvement from Andrew Luck, the Colts could be a championship-caliber team.
That could lead to a much bigger deal for Pagano, who noted in his statement that he hopes to remain with the organization beyond this coming season.
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