INDIANAPOLIS -- No matter how Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay tried to spin it, coach Chuck Pagano and former general manager Ryan Grigson didn't have the type of relationship that would allow them to work together long term.

Their "toxic" relationship in 2015 truly wasn't much better in 2016.

When it was all said and done, Pagano was the last one standing.

"There have been a lot of relationships throughout the years where the general manager and head coach aren't the best of friends, but professionally they move forward and excel," Irsay said. "Both of these guys have great affection for each other, that may shock you guys, but I will let Chuck speak for himself or Ryan. However, we are in the business of professional football, and that is the business of winning. It's about winning, and you do everything you can to make sure you are in the position to win, period. Again, in my feeling, it was time to make a change and move forward. There is no question in my mind that this was the right move for the franchise."

If Saturday was any indication, Pagano shouldn't get too excited and think he's definitely the long-term answer as coach of the Colts.

While announcing the firing of Grigson on Saturday, Irsay gave Pagano a vote of confidence, saying he'll be the team's coach during the 2017 season. But it's anybody's guess if Pagano will survive beyond that.

Irsay is about to start an extensive search to find Grigson's replacement. The new general manager will then have a season to watch Pagano and determine if he's the right person for the job.

"The new general manager will come in, evaluate our whole football program and we will see where we are at," Irsay said. "Again, I hope Chuck can be our coach for many years to come. He is our coach this year. Going through this process and interviewing general managers and having whoever the new general manager is come in to work with me to evaluate where we are at will play a big role on that in the long term. But for 2017, Chuck is our coach."

If Colts vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III is named the permanent general manager, that could help Pagano. The two will attend the Senior Bowl in Alabama together next week. Raye, who just completed his fourth season with the Colts, is held in high regard within the organization, including Pagano.

Pagano survived the first wave of firings, but his hands aren't clean when it comes to why the Colts have finished with an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs the past two seasons.

The Colts have been 20th or worse in defense in four of Pagano's five seasons, including 30th this season. Pagano has also failed to win meaningful games when his players' backs are pressed against the wall. The Colts lost at home to Houston in December of 2015 and 2016, when the AFC South title was still in sight.

New England and Pittsburgh will play in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Under Pagano, Indianapolis is 0-5 against the Patriots and 0-3 against the Steelers with all eight losses being by an average of 24 points.

Those types of losses won't keep Pagano in his job for long because Irsay's expectations aren't just winning the AFC South and reaching the playoffs. Irsay wants his franchise to be back in Super Bowl contention.

The clock is ticking on Pagano to do that.

"We are really excited for the season and we look to take back what is rightfully ours, and I'll just leave it at that when it comes to starting to play ball again," Irsay said.