Indianapolis Colts: Is Chuck Pagano Really On Hot Seat?

Is it possible that an NFL sideline leader that has won 11 regular-season games three years in a row and has watched his team advance deeper into the playoffs each year actually be on the ever-popular hot seat?

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That may exactly be the scenario in 2015 for Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who owns a formidable 33-15 regular-season mark and a 3-3 postseason record the last three years with the franchise but remains in the final year of his current contract with the organization.

CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora opined on the subject late in August and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out this season. But make no mistake. There is pressure on these Colts to take the next step forward this year after an offseason that saw them add free agents such as wide receiver Andre Johnson, running back Frank Gore, guard Todd Herremans and outside linebacker Trent Cole and just obtained outside linebacker Sio Moore from the Oakland Raiders via trade.

“We’ve had high expectations for ourselves from Day 1,” said Pagano to La Canfora recently. “We’ve got our blinders on and our earmuffs on and we have to stay focused on the process and take it one day at a time. I know you guys get sick of hearing me saying that, but that’s the only way we’ve been able to do what these guys have been able to do, because our coaches and our players buy into the notion and they’ve stuck to that process.”

Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

LaCanfora also asked general manager Ryan Grigson if the lofty expectations were fair. “I think it’s fair, and I think our owner has always expected greatness from any regime that’s been here,” said Grigson, who like Pagano enters his fourth year at his current job. “That’s maybe part of the reason why there has been such great success, because he gives everybody what they need and he demands greatness…With the offseason acquisitions and the perceived areas of need and with what I think we did in the draft as well, I think people are fired up, and they want to see that transfer to the field on game day as well.”

Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In 2012, the team finished 11-5 following a 2-14 showing and reached the AFC Wild Card Playoffs, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. One year later, there was another 11 wins, an AFC South title and a 28-point comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs before bowing to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.

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