Report: Colts GM Ballard intends to keep Pagano as head coach for 2017

All signs continue to point toward Chuck Pagano returning for a sixth season in Indianapolis.

New Colts general manager Chris Ballard intends to keep Pagano for the 2017 campaign before re-evaluating his head coaching situation thereafter, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Owner Jim Irsay announced during the dismissal of now-former general manager Ryan Grigson that Pagano would be retained, but there was always a chance that an incoming football czar would prefer to bring in his own coach.

Ballard opting against a late change gives Pagano another chance to rebound from a pair of 8-8 seasons and get back to the level that had seen Indianapolis make playoff trips in each of the three years prior.

Pagano will head into the fall having compiled a 49-31 regular-season record since taking the lead job back in 2012.