Colts Retaining Coach Chuck Pagano, GM Ryan Grigson For 2017 Season

The Indianapolis Colts will be retaining head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson for the 2017 season, a source familiar with the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Friday.

Colts Retaining Coach Chuck Pagano, GM Ryan Grigson For 2017 Season

After the Colts’ (8-8) season finale, Pagano told reporters he had no doubt that he would be returning next season, although Grigson has not yet made any similar public statements. Furthermore, owner Jim Irsay hasn’t publicly stated either whether Pagano or Grigson will definitely return.

Alex Marvez of SportingNews.com first reported the news of Pagano’s return.

Before the Colts’ playoff-barring loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 16, Irsay told Rapoport he wasn’t expecting any “wholesale changes” to be made.

“I would say it would be unlikely for any changes to occur, honestly,” Irsay said at Winter League Meeting. “It’s unlikely, but look, we’ll see when we sit down and thoroughly vet the season … We’ll see what happens.”

Pagano boasts a 49-31 record over five seasons in Indianapolis. After leading the Colts to three straight 11-5 finishes that led to an appearance in the 2014 season’s AFC Championship game, the team has failed to reach the postseason after two consecutive 8-8 campaigns.

Grigson was hired as GM for the Colts in January 2012 and helped oversee a squad revival based on the drafting of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck and the hiring of Pagano following Peyton Manning’s departure.

The Colts had Luck for all but one game this season but still finished third in the AFC South, which has repeatedly been one of the worst divisions in the NFL. They had one two-game winning streak, their record was never above .500 and they were swept by the Houston Texans, who have won the division in each of the past two seasons.

Grigson received a contract extension from the team last offseason despite the Colts missing the playoffs. However, it seems 2017 will mark Grigson and Pagano’s final opportunity to make Indianapolis a playoff team again.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Chuck Pagano of the Indianapolis Colts reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)