NFL Notes: Chuck Pagano, Andy Dalton, 49ers, Broncos & Patriots

Chuck Pagano

• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that if the Colts end up firing HC Chuck Pagano, he would be a hot coaching candidate next year.
• According to Rapoport, the Miami Dolphins could be an option for Pagano if they’re looking for someone with experience.
• As of now, Pagano is still coaching for his job in Indianapolis, but signs continue to suggest he’ll be out after the season.

Andy Dalton

• Jason La Canfora reports that Bengals QB Andy Dalton could end up losing out on escalators included in his contract after he suffered a broken thumb last week.
• Dalton can earn a maximum of $15 million in escalators based on his playing time and the Bengals’ reaching the divisional round of the playoffs and beyond.
• According to La Canfora, Dalton was just a game away from cementing 80 percent of the team’s regular season snaps and possibly securing a bye in the playoffs, which would have added $1 million per year to his base salary in each year from 2016-20.
• Dalton would get another $500,000 per year by playing 80 percent of his team’s snaps in the conference championship.
• There’s also another $1.5 million per year available for his base salary if he won the Super Bowl and played 80 percent of the team’s snaps.

49ers

• Mindi Bach of CSN Bay Area reports that the 49ers medical staff has prohibited QB Colin Kaepernick from watching their game against the Bengals from the team sideline citing concerns over his physical safety.

Broncos

• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that QB Peyton Manning does not want to be Brock Osweiler‘s backup in Denver.
• However, John Elway has already refuted the report saying: “Peyton has never told Gary or myself that he doesn’t want to be the backup. Any report or rumor that suggests otherwise is incorrect!!”

Patriots

• Mike Reiss spoke with a personnel executive familiar with free agent RB Steven Jackson who believes he’d be a perfect fit for the the Patriots coming down the Reiss adds that there is varied opinion around the NFL about how much Jackson has left, but Jackson’s dependability and ball security come the playoffs could be appealing to the Patriots.
• If the Patriots do end up signing Jackson, Reiss believes it will most likely happen early this week.