The Indianapolis Colts’ fortunes took a sharp turn for the worse this season, and it appears Chuck Pagano will pay the price for his team’s shortcomings.
The Colts plan on firing their head coach at the end of the regular season, league sources told ESPN.com’s Mike Wells on Thursday. Ryan Grigson will remain the team’s general manager throughout its coaching search, but his job next year is not guaranteed, according to Wells.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Pagano, who is in the final year of his coaching contract after turning down an extension this offseason. With Andrew Luck forced to the sideline due to injury, Indy has struggled to a 7-8 record entering Week 17. Barring a miracle, the Colts will miss the playoffs for the first time since Pagano took over as head coach in 2012.
Indianapolis’ subpar play wasn’t the only problem this season, though, as Wells writes that Pagano and Grigson have had a “toxic” relationship:
“The Pagano and Grigson relationship has been described to ESPN.com as being ‘100 times worse’ than the team’s poor play on the field. The two barely communicate with each other, multiple sources said.”
Pagano would be the second NFL head coach in less than seven days to lose his job, as the Philadelphia Eagles cut ties with Chip Kelly on Tuesday.
Despite the rumors, Colts owner Jim Irsay took to Twitter on Thursday to remind everyone that no official moves have been made.
Click to see the NFL coaches most likely to get fired >>
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
