The Sports Xchange

Head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson insist there is harmony within the Indianapolis Colts’ power structure. Most of the time.

Pagano, a first-time head coach hired by Grigson in 2012, said the Colts are operating without ego and Grigson, a first-time general manager who replaced recent Hall of Fame inductee Bill Polian two weeks before he named Pagano to succeed Tony Dungy, have been subject to reports that each could be on the hot seat if the Colts don’t find playoff success this season.

“We have no egos around here. Everybody checks them at the door every day they come to work. Players, coaches, myself, Ryan,” he said. “The only thing that matters is the ‘shoe and what’s best for the ‘shoe.”

Pagano is in the final season of his contract having turned down a one-year extension, and Grigson, at least at the surface, holds the power in determining if Pagano will stick around.

“Is there going to be some fireworks at times? Absolutely,” Pagano said. “Every single room I’ve been in as a defensive coach for 28 years, whether as coordinator or a position coach, offensively, there’s going to be some fireworks in those rooms. OK? But at the end of the day the only thing that matters is what is best for the ‘shoe, and what is best for the team.”

Grigson has “final say” in most personnel decision as empowered by owner Jim Irsay, but he said at the Scouting Combine in 2014 that all roster moves and draft decisions are team calls discussed amongst the principal decision-makers in the building.

“It’s hard enough to win in this league when everyone’s getting along,” Grigson said. “You’ve got no shot if you’re not. It makes no sense for us to be going in opposite directions. That’s not the case. Trust me. At the end of the day, we always do what’s best for the horseshoe. Period.”