Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay had high praise for his general manager Ryan Grigson during Monday night’s press conference announcing both Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano’s new contract extensions with his team.
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Not only was Pagano’s contract extended, but Irsay also chose to extend general manager Ryan Grigson’s contract for three additional years.
Luck and his team-mates met with Pagano as they cleared out their lockers on Monday and the three-time Pro Bowl QB, who was the number one pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, conceded changes might be on the cards, despite his public backing of the Colts coach.
Chuck Pagano repeatedly said last week he would fight to keep his job as the Indianapolis Colts head coach.
The past two weeks might be the most creative coaching Pagano has done in his four-year tenure.
Pagano led the Colts to the playoffs in his first three seasons in charge, advancing one step further each year, losing in the 2014 AFC championship game.
Even though the season was not the best, the players, including linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, backed the contract extension.
“I’m happy to announce that we are moving forward with Chuck as our coach”, owner Jim Irsay said in a news conference. “We’ve been candid. We agreed to disagree but at the end of the day, leave every meeting with a handshake and a hug and you say, ‘Okay, look, it’s about one thing and one thing only”. While the team is obviously coming off a disappointing 8-8 season and missed the playoffs, it appears the Colts are willing to give it another shot with their head coach-which is the right move.
Quarterback Josh Freeman acquitted himself well enough in the Colts’ win over Tennessee on Sunday to warrant a longer look by the team.
“Yes, continuity plays a role”, Irsay said.
“I’m convinced we have the right stuff on my right (Grigson) and my left (Pagano) going forward to win a world championship”, Irsay said.
If you ask Pagano about his future, he is playing it by ear “Mr. Irsay and I will get together tomorrow at some time and have a discussion and go from there”.
“Chuck has won (41) games in the last four years. This was absolutely the best day of my life”. Enjoy the offseason. And since our Colts won’t be there, be sure to cheer on Peyton Manning as he is our only hope for a somewhat satisfying Super Bowl.
Before the news of Pagano’s extension, Colts fans didn’t necessarily agree on a solution for the team, but they shared a passion for the future of the Colts.
-QB Zach Mettenberger, who left the game in the third quarter with a forearm injury, now is 0-10 in his National Football League career as a starter.
Now Pagano and Mularkey must wait to see if their owners agree. And I owe it all to Jim for believing in me and believing in Ryan and our vision.
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What we do know though is that both Pagano and Grigson will be in Indy next year and both men are excited about it. I am grateful for this job, these players, these coaches, this opportunity that was given to me by Mr. Irsay.
