Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay refuted a report that head coach Chuck Pagano was set to be fired if the team didn’t make it to the playoffs in 2015.
The rumor broke Thursday, courtesy of EPSN’s Mike Wells, that Pagano would get the ax if he failed to make the playoffs.
THIS JUST IN: Colts do not plan to retain Chuck Pagano at end of season, barring playoff berth. (via @MikeWellsNFL) pic.twitter.com/V4UwGc9DuE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 31, 2015
Rather than making any public statement at the podium, Irsay responded using a different type of podium, namely his Twitter account.
As of today, no decision has been made with respect to any structural changes within the Colts organization for 2016 and beyond.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) December 31, 2015
This doesn’t mean Pagano’s job is safe — far from it.
We’ve heard reports all season long that the coach would be fired if the Colts missed the playoffs, and at one point there was a rumor that Irsay was ready to go “big game hunting” to land one of the top names in the business. Nick Saban has been named as a potential replacement.
It’s been an extremely difficult season for Pagano, Irsay and the entire Colts organization. The franchise appeared poised to potentially win a Super Bowl, but injuries and poor personnel decisions derailed that train a long time ago.
Not only do the Colts (7-8) need to win Sunday to make it to the playoffs, but the Houston Texans must lose. Making matters worse is the fact that newly signed quarterback Josh Freeman could be the starting quarterback with Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst all unable to play.