Colts owner Jim Irsay admits he reluctantly gave Frank Reich a contract extension before the 2021 season

Whereas the quarterback scenario was in a state of flux because the group had circled via varied veteran choices, the Indianapolis Colts did appear to have a gentle masthead getting into final season. In any case, the membership had locked up each head coach Frank Reich and basic supervisor Chris Ballard to multi-year extensions simply earlier than the 2021 marketing campaign. Just a bit over a 12 months later, nonetheless, Indy is again to sq. one on the head teaching spot after firing Reich following Week 9. 

In a latest interview with ESPN, Colts proprietor Jim Irsay admitted that he was apprehensive to provide Reich that extension, regardless of in the end deciding to take action. 

“I reluctantly gave Frank an extension before I needed to,” Irsay mentioned, by way of the Indy Star. “Once you see it actually, actually coming aside, you then understand you need to make that change. Frank’s eternally a part of the horseshoe, and he is beloved. He very effectively might coach once more big-time, and we’re rooting for him to do this.”

It is unclear as to why Irsay felt strain to provide Reich an extension, particularly contemplating that there is no such thing as a energy above him forcing his hand because the proprietor of the group. Per ESPN, Reich is now owed $36 million over the following 4 years. Irsay additionally famous that he wouldn’t have fired Reich after the group’s loss to New England in Week 9 had Jeff Saturday not been obtainable to return aboard because the group’s interim head coach. 

“The New England recreation ended and I immediately engaged with Jeff,” Irsay mentioned.

This offseason, Indianapolis will conduct a extra intensive seek for a everlasting head coach that complies with the Rooney Rule, however Irsay does maintain Saturday in excessive regard. 

“The top coach is an unknown till the interview course of goes ahead,” mentioned Irsay. “I’ll go into it critically open-minded, and I will be on the lookout for the very best course for us to win. Jeff, I consider, is an excellent candidate, so clearly, he is aggressive for that.” 

Irsay confirmed that Ballard might be again as basic supervisor and admitted that the quarterback place is up within the air.