Chuck Pagano’s Job Isn’t Safe, But Colts “Highly Unlikely” To Make Change This Week

Update:

Jason Cole has spoken to a source who said that Colts owner Jim Irsay is “seriously discussing” the possibility of firing HC Chuck Pagano during the season.

If the Colts do, in fact, end up parting ways with Pagano, Cole mentions that it will likely be during their bye week.

As for potential replacements, Cole lists DC Greg Manusky, OC Pep Hamilton, assistant HC Rob Chudzinski, and QBs coach Clyde Christensen as four names to watch.

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Bob Kravitz of WTHR is hearing that Colts HC Chuck Pagano’s job isn’t safe right now, but it’s still “highly unlikely” the team will make a change this week.

Kravitz mentions that teams typically make in-season coaching changes during their bye week, which is something that has been brought in recent says by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Florio pointed out that with the games coming up against the undefeated Panthers and Broncos, Pagano could be fired after the team’s bye much like Joe Philbin was replaced by the Dolphins during their bye.

Miami has rattled off back-to-back wins since they fired Philbin, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Colts owner Jim Irsay wanted to shake things up in the hope of similar results.

Last night, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (via Pro Football Talk) reports that the Colts have had “organizational discussions” about Pagano’s future with the team.

Reports have said since the start of the season that Pagano’s job could be in danger if the Colts didn’t make it deep into the playoffs. However, the Colts are currently 3-4 and struggling across the board this season, which leaves the postseason as an afterthought right now.

Earlier in the year, the Colts offered Pagano a one-year extension to prevent him from being a lame duck head coach, but Pagano elected to bet on himself with his contract, and he’s now in a prove-it situation.

There have also been reports that have said the relationship between Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson isn’t very good either.

For what it’s worth, Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star reported that Irsay and Grigson had a “heated conversation” in the locker room following Sunday’s loss to the Saints, so his job could also be in danger.

We’ll have more regarding the Colts and Pagano as the news is available.