Colts Owner Jim Irsay following yesterday's season-opening 27-14 loss to the Bills "adamantly denied that a rift exists” between coach Chuck Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson, according to Mike Wells of ESPN.com. Irsay, in an “impromptu interview” outside the Colts' locker room yesterday, was “animated and clearly agitated about rumors circulating about the relationship" between Pagano and Grigson. Irsay: “That can't be farther (from) the truth. Ryan and Chuck work hard together. They have a great relationship.” Wells noted what caused Irsay to “seek out the media after the game" was a CBS report that claimed Pagano "has no say in personnel decisions and he was not able to put together his own staff.” Irsay: “That report is completely false. I can guarantee you that -- completely false. There is not one shred to truth to it at all. Honestly, these guys have a great relationship” (ESPN.com, 9/13). CBS' Jason La Canfora in the initial report noted there is "growing tension" between Pagano and Grigson. He also reported the situation between Pagano and the entire organization is "starting to resemble the inevitable divorce between the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh from a year ago." Pagano was "shocked to receive just a one-year contract extension at virtually the same money he is already making," and Irsay was "equally as shocked that he turned that offer down." Irsay this offseason "ramped up the pressure by putting the team publicly in Super-Bowl-or-bust mode, and those closest to Pagano believe it is inevitable that he will be coaching elsewhere in 2016” (“The NFL Today,” CBS, 9/13). NBC's Peter King said any rift between Pagano and Grigson is not the "root of the problem." King: "It stems from the fact that the owner of this team does not believe, after seeing the Indianapolis Colts get just trod upon and beaten badly three times by the New England Patriots in the last couple of years, he’s not sure he wants to sign this coach for a long-term contract” (“FNIA,” NBC, 9/13).
NO CONTRACT TALKS BEING HELD: In Indianapolis, Stephen Holder notes Pagano is "not under contract beyond this season," and Irsay yesterday "shot down the notion" that contract negotiations could take place during the season. Irsay said, "That's not even anything that is even on our minds right now. We're in season mode. It feels strange being asked that question right now because you guys have known that dynamic for months now" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/14). Fox’ Jay Glazer called the situation "ridiculous" and said, "Players in that locker room, they talk about it. They look and they go, ‘How could our coach possibly be fighting for his job right now?’ But that is actually the situation there in Indianapolis" (“Fox NFL Sunday,” Fox, 9/13).
