If Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has committed to this being his last year in Indianapolis, he doesn’t want his team to know it before what could be their final game of the season.
Amid rumors that he might not want to re-sign with the Colts this offseason even if they made him an offer, Pagano insisted on Wednesday that he wants to remain in Indy.
“I will fight my a– off to be the coach here,” he said, via CBS 4 in Indianapolis. “I’m worried about Tennessee right now. But do I want to be the coach here? Yes.”
That does not necessarily mean Pagano would want to return under the current circumstances. It has become clear over the past year that the relationship between Pagano and Colts GM Ryan Grigson is toxic. By “fight my a– off,” Pagano could mean he is holding out hope that the team will decide to move on from Grigson instead of him.
Even if he does lose his job, Pagano isn’t fretting it.
“They can’t eat you. Remember I told you that. They can fire you, but they can’t eat you,” he said. “So if the worst thing is a year from now, let’s say I’m in Boise (Idaho) next year playing with my granddaughters, I’m going to be fine.”
“That isn’t going to happen, but I’m going to be fine if I have to go down that road.”
The 7-8 Colts need to win on Sunday and have eight other games go their way in order to sneak into the playoffs. Even if they do, it might not save Pagano’s job. His 2015 campaign is likely to be remembered by Andrew Luck’s injury and this embarrassing trick play attempt. It would be a surprise if Pagano is offered an extension.
