Chuck

Pagano

Pagano was one of head coach John Harbaugh’s first hires in 2008, spending three seasons as the Ravens’ secondary coach and one as defensive coordinator. He was head coach of the Colts from 2012-2017, then spent two seasons as the Bears’ defensive coordinator before retiring. Harbaugh now brings Pagano out of retirement to reunite with him and gives Pagano the chance to coach Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey and the rest of DC Zach Orr’s improving secondary for 2025.

Pagano coached in the NFL for 18 years -- six as a head coach for the Colts (53-43), three as a defensive coordinator between the Bears and Ravens, and the rest as a secondary coach. Over the last two seasons as Chicago’s defensive coordinator, the Bears finished inside the top-10 in expected points added (EPA) each year, although that can partially be attributed to their talent. With Pagano heading into retirement, the Bears will be forced into hiring their third defensive coordinator within four seasons. His loss will be felt, but he and Mitchell Trubisky will be viewed as scapegoats for coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace, who reportedly will return for the 2021 season.

Pagano spent 2018 out of the league after getting fired from the Colts but resurfaced as one of the top defensive minds available this offseason. He interviewed for Denver and Green Bay’s head-coach jobs but was never a realistic candidate. Chicago will keep their 3-4 base in place under Pagano, who runs a similar scheme to Vic Fangio. A good year from Pagano could get him another look as a retread next offseason.

Beat writer Brad Biggs also reports the team is considering promoting DBs coach Ed Donatell, whose contract is up. Donatell is considered likely to follow Vic Fangio to Denver if he doesn’t get the upgrade in Chicago. Pagano has earned looks from everything to head coach to DBs coach this offseason.

It is not clear for which position he is interviewing. Coach Ron Rivera is expected to call plays on defense next season, and Eric Washington still has the defensive coordinator title. Pagano has also been linked with the Jets and Cardinals, who are both looking for defensive coordinators.

Ex-Browns coach Gregg Williams and ex-Broncos coach Vance Joseph have also been linked with the job. Joseph would seem to be the favorite given his history with Adam Gase, but perhaps the team decides to go in another direction. A long-time coach with head coaching experience, Pagano could be appealing to teams who decided to go with a young offensive mind at head coach.

The Broncos might as well have just kept Vance Joseph if they go with another ex-defensive coordinator retread like Pagano. He’s a good man -- nobody will deny that -- but Pagano didn’t have it as a head coach. Pagano also recently interviewed with the Packers. The Broncos have been linked to Mike Munchak, John Harbaugh, Mike Shanahan, Vic Fangio, and Zac Taylor so far.

He joins Jim Caldwell as early candidates the Packers have met. Pagano spent 2018 out of the league after getting fired from the Colts. He has ties to both interim HC Joe Philbin and DC Mike Pettine, so it makes sense the Packers brought him in. We’d be surprised if Green Bay’s Pagano interest was more than a courtesy interview.

Speaking in broken Twitter English, Irsay implored his team to “Improvise n find a way!” He went on several other semi-cogent tangents, but the message is clear: He’s not happy with anybody, most of all the coaching staff. Hiding weaknesses and accentuating strengths have been Achilles’ heels for coach Chuck Pagano, who fancies a power-run philosophy even though Andrew Luck is by far Indy’s best player, and would-be lead back Trent Richardson is getting out-performed by every other back in the NFL. The Colts should be running their offense through Luck, but have to find a way to keep him upright first. As former Colts OC Bruce Arians is proving in Arizona, protection issues can be masked. If the Colts stick to the offensive philosophy they’ve employed thus far, they could choke away the AFC South.

He shouldn’t. Pagano appeared set to be fired last offseason, but was saved at the last minute, signing a new four-year deal. It’s looking like a terrible blunder, though not as bad as keeping Grigson around. With the caveat that Irsay meddles, Grigson whiffs year after year in free agency, the draft and trades. The Colts need a complete overhaul. They are wasting the prime of Andrew Luck’s career.