Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is disappointed with the team’s 6-7 record, but hasn’t made up his mind yet if the franchise should part ways with general manager Ryan Grigson or Chuck Pagano.
Jim Irsay’s unrealistic expectations could cost Chuck Pagano and/or Ryan Grigson their jobs
Jim Irsay believes the Colts could be 10-3 at this point if the ball bounced a little differently.
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
In an interview with Tom Pelissero of USA Today on Wednesday, Irsay wouldn’t commit to any decision about the job status of Grigson or Pagano:
“Right now, I’m not anticipating making any changes,” Irsay said. “That can always change. It always can when we’re sitting down at the end of the year and [evaluating] things. But I’m just looking at seeing if we can win these next three games and get some luck from the football gods right now.”
The Colts finish the year with back-to-back road games against the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders, followed by a Week 17 home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But Indianapolis already lost its first game against Jacksonville and just hasn’t been able to string together wins.
Despite having the NFL’s No. 29 defense and No. 14 offense, Irsay seems to believe the Colts are one of the best teams in the league. And that could mean there’s an unrealistic bar for Grigson and Pagano to reach.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed,” Irsay said. “People kind of agree or disagree, but I saw every single game and I know — besides Kansas City — yeah, we could right now [be] 10-3. That could be us if the ball bounces a little bit differently. It’s been that type of year — hasn’t gone our way.”
Of course, Grigson and Pagano are in their fifth season as the duo in charge of the Colts, so parting ways wouldn’t be a decision based solely on the 2016 season. In fact, it was obvious early in the season that there were serious flaws in the Colts’ roster, and that falls heavily on the shoulder of Grigson.
Given the talent level on the team, a 6-7 record should be surprising to no one. But somehow Irsay thinks the team is underperforming. And that could prove to be the disappointment that results in firings.
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