Chuck Pagano, Ryan Grigson Tied Contractually For Next Four Years

“I’m happy to announce that we are moving forward with Chuck as our coach”, Colts owner Jim Irsay said in a news conference announcing announcing a new four-year deal for Pagano.

Pagano will be paired with general manager Ryan Grigson for four more years in Indianapolis, as Irsay also said Grigson was given a three-year extension so that he and Pagano are signed through 2019.

Pagano reportedly met with owner Jim Irsay on Monday afternoon.

The Indianapolis Colts must really believe in Pagano as a head coach because they’re giving him a chance to prove himself. Players declined to say what specifically was discussed, but many acknowledged Pagano expressed “love” for each of his players. In four years with the Colts, Pagano has gone to the playoffs three times and won three AFC South titles. “I think Chuck is the guy for this team to lead us to a Super Bowl”, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. If that was the best for us, believe me, I would do it. This guy is a great coach.

I knew Pagano wasn’t just going to take a one-year extension to stay in Indy, if he was staying as the head coach he was staying for a few years at least.

“Ryan and I met. Chuck and I met. Then Ryan and Chuck had a long meeting”, If they spoke about Pagano changing his philosophy that would be a good thing.

Pagano, who just finished his fourth year with the Colts, survived a disappointing 8-8 season, injuries to his franchise quarterback Andrew Luck and a reported rift with the management.

However, in a statement published on the Colts’ official website, the club made it abundantly clear why they have chose to stick with the current set-up for the foreseeable future.

“There are going to be times when we are both passionate about what we do because we are trying to win a championship”, Grigson said of the dynamic with Pagano. Players left the team facility on West 56th Street in the dark, uncertain whether Pagano would be back or they’d be playing for someone else next season. I am grateful for this job, these players, these coaches, this opportunity that was given to me by Mr. Irsay. I want Chuck Pagano to be my dad.

For a team that was struggling to find a healthy quarterback this season, the Indianapolis Colts now have enough of them for a game of bridge. He has a 40-23 regular-season record with the Colts, 3-3 in the postseason. But if you think I’m going to have that in my organization, you’re wrong, you don’t know me. RB Frank Gore had a decent season for a 32-year-old, but even he wasn’t enough to spark this team to a playoff spot.

“I’ll tell you this, he’s given his heart and soul every day since I’ve been here, ” Luck said. Both are still fairly new at their jobs and can get better each year. And in losing Luck for nine games, the Colts fared better than most, winning five games with determined backup Matt Hasselbeck.