NFL Notes: Chuck Pagano, Mike Shanahan, Broncos, & Saints

Chuck Pagano

• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that it would be a “major surprise” if Colts HC Chuck Pagano is back in Indianapolis next season.
• Rapoport mentions that it’s been clear all season that they would need to make the playoffs and go deep into the postseason in order for Pagano to return in 2016.
• Should Pagano be fired in the coming weeks, Rapoport mentions that he could still be a hot name in regards to coaching job, even after being fired.

Mike Shanahan

• Albert Breer writes that Mike Shanahan, who is looking to get back in coaching, could be an interesting coaching candidate to watch in the coming weeks for teams looking to bring in a veteran head coach to run their team.
• Breer mentions that Shanahan had an impressive interview with the 49ers last year.

Broncos

A couple of NFL executives offered their assessments of Broncos QB Brock Osweiler‘s play this season and what they should do moving forward.

“If he plays well (on Sunday against San Diego), I think I would,” an AFC personnel exec told Albert Breer. “They need to win for the division, so they should be throwing their fastball. So we’ll see that. And last year, Peyton was trending down towards the end.”

Meanwhile, an NFC pro scouting director said of Osweiler, “I like what I see so far. I don’t think he’s gonna be a 35-attempt-a-game guy, but he should be a good fit for [Gary] Kubiak’s true system, which employs more balance.”

Saints

• A Saints’ source tells Albert Breer that very few folks in the building know what to expect in regards to Sean Payton‘s future in New Orleans.
• Breer mentions that the Saints’ cap issue could one one of the reasons why Payton may consider moving on along with the fact that they still need to continue to rebuild their roster before they’re contending for Super Bowl titles.
• According to Breer, Payton many not want to stomach all of this.