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For much of the 2015 season, it was widely considered a foregone conclusion by NFL observers that the Indianapolis Colts would not renew Chuck Pagano's contract, barring a deep run in the playoffs. When the Colts failed to earn a playoff berth, Pagano's fate was sealed; the only question was whether Jim Irsay would send Ryan Grigson packing as well. Pagano met with Colts players earlier today and apparently didn't know what would happen. Tonight, we found out that instead of making a change, Irsay decided to sign Pagano to a contract extension...
Chuck Pagano has agreed to a contract extension with the #Colts. WOW WOW WOW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 5, 2016
Coach Pagano signed a 4-year extension.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) January 5, 2016
...and chose to double-down on the GM-Head Coach partnership, retaining Grigson as Indianapolis' general manager as well.
Everyone will return for the #Colts. That's coach Chuck Pagano AND GM Ryan Grigson.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2016
#Colts also want to extend contract of GM Ryan Grigson, who has one year left on his deal.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) January 5, 2016
Word emerged late afternoon that all parties (GM, head coach, team) were working to stay together for years to come.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) January 5, 2016
To summarize: I'm told Grigson & Pagano (and Irsay) talked it out, hugged it out & agreed to keep working together. Everybody is happy.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 5, 2016
Remember how Texans fans were bummed to see the Titans fire Ken Whisenhunt? I submit that we should be positively enthused that the Colts will continue to employ Grigson and Pagano. Our colleagues at Stampede Blue have done yeoman work chronicling precisely why Pagano should go and why Grigson should follow him out the door; to say Colts fans are baffled by tonight's development is putting it lightly.
From the perspective of Texans fans, Irsay's decision to keep the band together in Indianapolis would seem to bode well for Houston's success in 2016 and beyond.
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