The Indianapolis Colts were overwhelming favorites to reach the Super Bowl this season. Legions of pundits picked the Colts to take the leap from good to great after general manager Ryan Grigson signed wide receiver Andre Johnson, running back Frank Gore, outside linebacker Trent Cole and guard Todd Herremans.
With Indianapolis in the AFC South, everything was supposed to be a cakewalk. Instead, the Colts are 3-4 and a total disgrace to the sport. Head coach Chuck Pagano is now in all kinds of hot water, and Chris Mortensen of ESPN is now reporting that the team is having internal discussions about Pagano’s future, per Pro Football Talk.
There is a very real possibility that both Pagano and Grigson are gone in short order. Grigson has brought in all kinds of expensive, older weapons, but he continues to neglect the offensive line and the defense. Andrew Luck has taken a brutal beating over the last few seasons, and he finally missed two games this season with a shoulder injury. Watching Luck, it is obvious he is still injured, but playing through the pain.
Pagano’s contract expires after this season, making his return highly unlikely unless the team turns it around in a massive way. Should Pagano get his pink slip, there is little reason to believe that Grigson returns.
The only thing in the duo’s favor is the division. Indianapolis could go 7-9 and easily make the playoffs. Still, with the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos coming up before the BYE week, this season could completely come off the rails.