Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay denied that any kind of contention exists between his head coach, Chuck Pagano, and his general manager, Ryan Grigson, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Shortly after the Buffalo Bills dominated the Colts in the opener on Sunday, Irsay said that the notion "couldn't be farther from the truth."
Colts owner shoots down rumors of falling out between Chuck Pagano, GM
Chuck Pagano is coaching on the final year of his contract with the Indianapolis Colts after reportedly turning down a one-year extension this offseason.
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“They have a great relationship,” he said, “I’ve seen coaches and general managers work together since I was 11 years old. I know the dynamic that needs to be there to work together.”
Still, there have been multiple reports that Pagano’s time in Indianapolis could be coming to an end for various reasons. When it comes to him and Grigson, it’s been suggested that Pagano is upset that he doesn’t have final say over the roster or coaching staff, with Pep Hamilton coming in as offensive coordinator while Pagano advocated for Rob Chudzinski.
Pagano still has found success as the head coach of this team, however. He’d posted a 33-15 record in the regular season prior to Sunday’s opener, though he hasn’t had much luck in the playoffs. That could be one of the reasons why Irsay only offered him a small one-year contract extension, which Pagano turned down and was reportedly insulted by.
“That report is completely false. I guarantee you,” Irsay said of the aforementioned rift between Pagano and Grigson, “There is not one shred of truth to it at all, honestly.
“When I heard the report, I was as shocked as anyone.”
One of the biggest issues for the Colts in recent seasons has been a lack of talent on both the offensive and defensive lines, and Grigson has done little to address these issues. Most were shocked when the team took Phillip Dorsett in the first round this year with such glaring needs elsewhere. There's no reports suggesting Pagano is unhappy with the pick itself, but it does play into the thought that he doesn't like his lack of say over the roster.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that Pagano was coaching for his job this season. Irsay denied that report as well.
“I don’t look at it that way at all,” Irsay said, “Whenever these guys are in coaching, as players, everyone has to win. I mean, that’s a given. I don’t look at it like he’s coaching for his job or anything like that.”
This is all starting to sound a lot like what happened with Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers a season ago. Harbaugh took the team to three consecutive NFC Championship games, but was still ousted for various reasons, the biggest of which was that he and the 49ers brass simply didn’t have a great working relationship. It’s probably a safe bet that this isn’t the last you’ll be hearing of this situation.
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