Along with Pagano, GM Ryan Grigson Will Remain with Colts
While Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano will remain head coach, his general manager Ryan Grigson will also return next season:
Ryan Grigson will also return as Colts GM, I am told by a team source. All parties happy. @nflnetwork @nfl @AroundTheNFL
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 5, 2016
Everyone will return for the #Colts. That's coach Chuck Pagano AND GM Ryan Grigson.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2016
There were widespread reports that Pagano and Grigson have a “toxic relationship“–specifically that they rarely talked to one another this past season and that the latter would occasionally override his coach’s lineup decisions.
However, apparently both sides along with owner Jim Irsay have been able to successfully settle their differences and continue their relationship:
To summarize: I'm told Grigson & Pagano (and Irsay) talked it out, hugged it out & agreed to keep working together. Everybody is happy.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 5, 2016
It’s a surprising turn of events, as it was widely reported that at least one of this head coaching, general manager duo would be dismissed this offseason, if not both. Nevertheless, Irsay has apparently seen enough from both parties to warrant keeping them around, at least for another season. Despite losing Andrew Luck for 9 games, the team still finished 8-8 on the season–including an improbable season finale victory against the Tennessee Titans.
Under the Pagano and Grigson pairing, the team has gone 41-23 (.641), having won 2 AFC South Championships and made the playoffs in 3 of their 4 seasons–most notably an AFC Championship game appearance in 2014. Simply put, it’s hard to argue that the pair hasn’t won a lot of football games.