Reports regarding Colts coach Chuck Pagano’s job security have been leaking out of Indianapolis almost as mysteriously as the air in the New England Patriots’ footballs last January.
And just like the rumors about that air, these ones just won’t go away and likely will stick around for a while — though there’s seemingly some actual substance to these reports.
WTHR-TV’s Bob Kravitz reported Wednesday that Pagano’s job is in peril because of growing discontent between him and general manager Ryan Grigson.
But after reports from CBS’ Jason La Canfora and FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer saying much of the same also surfaced Sunday, Colts owner Jim Irsay felt the need to douse the fire following his team’s season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills.
“That couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Irsay told assembled media in Buffalo, via Kravitz. “Somebody mentioned that to me in the locker room; I don’t keep track of the rumor mill, so to speak. I mean, that could not be farther from the truth of anything that’s going on.
“Ryan (Grigson) and Chuck (Pagano) work hard together, have a great relationship. I’ve seen coaches and general managers work together since I was 11 years old, and I know the dynamic that needs to be there for them to work together. The report is completely false, I can guarantee you that — completely. Not one shred of truth to it all, honestly. These guys have a great relationship, and when I heard the report after the game, I was as shocked as anybody.”
La Canfora’s report in particular stands out. He noted Pagano allegedly wasn’t even allowed to pick his own coaching staff — let alone have player personnel decisions — but that “the team is more or less in ‘Super Bowl or bust mode,’ only heightening the tension within the building.”
La Canfora also reported the powers that be in Indy aren’t happy with Pagano’s ability to develop “young difference-makers” on defense — his specialty — and so whatever leash the coach is on only is getting shorter.
It’s more probable than not that the 27-14 loss, in which the Colts defense made Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor look like vintage Michael Vick, probably isn’t going to help.
Thumbnail photo via David Kohl/USA TODAY Sports Images
