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5 reasons why it shouldn’t be ‘Super Bowl-or-bust’ for Colts’ Chuck Pagano

By Luke Dahlgren

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano celebrates following the game against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano celebrates following the game against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay declared that a Super Bowl appearance was not necessary for the Colts to retain Chuck Pagano as their head coach.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano will be on the final year of his contract this upcoming season. Despite guiding the Colts to the AFC Championship Game this past season and sharing the NFL Coach of the Year in the other, Pagano will soon have no contractual security.

This is odd considering Pagano’s accomplishments, but anybody questioning Irsay’s commitment to Pagano had those questions squashed during a Colts gala promoting leukemia research.

From the Indianapolis Star:

"“These things are ongoing a lot of times behind the scenes,” Irsay said. “We’re working on contracts, whether it’s management, coaches, players. We had discussions and it doesn’t mean that they won’t continue. It’s not a Super Bowl-or-bust season or anything like that.” We were proud of our (2014) season and I really feel positive about Chuck and what he’s done for us.”"

The phrase “Super Bowl-or-bust” is what stands out in Irsay’s quote. Ideally, every season for a football team is Super Bowl-or-bust, whether your quarterback is Andrew Luck or Curtis Painter (the latter might be a “bust-or-bust” situation). To exclude a title-contending team like the Colts from any urgency immediately places the team at a disadvantage in the present.

With that being said, the Colts are better served with providing Pagano job security than with motivating him with the prospect of unemployment.

Next: Pagano's popularity

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