Josh Freeman

Against season-long odds, coach Chuck Pagano is staying with the Indianapolis Colts on a new deal.

The team announced Monday night that Pagano has agreed to a contract extension after a trying season featuring well-documented in-fighting with general manager Ryan Grigson and persistent "hot seat" reports emanating from Indiana.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport confirms Grigson will also return in the same capacity after lengthy meeting through the day on Monday. Although the relationship between Grigson and Pagano was described as toxic as various times during the season, Rapoport was told that it was closer to two passionate professionals with mutual respect.

Pagano carried momentum into owner Jim Irsay's office after winning the final two games with a revolving door of quarterbacks featuring street free agents Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley in the season finale.

The surprise is not only that Pagano survived, but also that there was no clear victor in the power struggle, the story said. The piece also added this was expected to be perhaps the top available job in the offseason.