One silver lining for every team that missed the playoffs
Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Your offense keeps continuity with Rob Chudzinksi.
Generally speaking, continuity is not what Indianapolis Colts fans want out of the team. That is exactly what they are going to get.
Coach Pagano has agreed to an extension. Tune in live to watch the press conference at 10:30PM tonight
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 5, 2016
Sounds like #Colts GM Ryan Grigson also got an extension — 3 years — to bind him with Chuck Pagano, per owner Jim Irsay.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2016
2015 proved the rift that Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson had in terms of the direction the team would go in. Grigson focused his energy as GM on surrounding QB Andrew Luck with offensive talent, while Pagano wanted to focus on the run game, both building their own and stopping opponents. The result was a team undermanned on defense and without adequate protection for Luck, and with their quarterback finally sidelined after continual punishment it meant missing the playoffs.
One good thing that the continuity will provide is an opportunity for Luck to work further under Rob Chudzinski, who was already on the staff as assistant head coach and now offensive coordinator. Chud was able to elevate foundering offenses in Cleveland in 2007 and Carolina in 2011. Chudzinski spent the end of the year trying to run an offense that wasn’t his, going off of fired coordinator Pep Hamilton’s scheme rather than try to reteach his own in short time.
While Grigson and Pagano are staying, a good chunk of the positional staff – defensive coordinator, running back, secondary and Strength & Conditioning coaches for example – is being let go. Chudzinski is the key figure returning, and should provide the Colts with stability in an area they need it.
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