The Indianapolis Colts have finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, and coach Chuck Pagano knows he's on the hot seat entering 2017.
Pagano has three years left on his contract, but Colts owner Jim Irsay fired general manager Ryan Grigson after the 2016 season and replaced him with Chris Ballard. If the Colts don't make the playoffs next season, Pagano could be out of a job.
"I think we all understand the expectations that come with this job," Pagano said via ESPN. "We're all on one-day contracts. That's how I look at it. We're going to work hard, roll up our sleeves, like we always do. Every season is different; every team is different. Again, we have a lot of work to do, a ton to do. My focus is on that.
"Control the controllables. Throw it out there, start the new year with you guys [the media]. There are things that I can control and there are things that I can't control so I'm going to focus on the things that I can and go to work on that."
The Houston Texans have won the AFC South the last two seasons, though the Colts had chances both years to make the playoffs. Injuries to quarterback Andrew Luck didn't help, but the pressure will be on Pagano and the Colts this season.
"We know how we are judged and it's by wins and losses — 8-8 the past two years is not good enough," Pagano said. "The standard is the standard; the expectations are what they are. We are never going to be satisfied until we get back to where we need to be. We have a lot of work to do, but the objective always is to win."
(h/t ESPN)
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