INDIANAPOLIS -- The futures of Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano remain cloudy. But one thing that has become clear is that owner Jim Irsay might have to pick one or the other if he doesn’t fire both at the end of the season.

As bad as things have been on the field this season for the Colts (7-8), things are "100 times worse" inside the organization when it comes to the relationship between Pagano and Grigson. One NFL source described the relationship as "toxic." It has reached the point where Grigson and Pagano have little communication with each other, according to multiple sources.

If Pagano is going to lose his job, which at this point is likely, he won't go down easily. Pagano said Wednesday he plans to “fight my ass off to be the coach here.” With the Colts on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time during his tenure as coach, the odds are stacked against Pagano returning after he turned down a one-year contract extension during the offseason. On Sunday, he will coach his ninth game this season without franchise quarterback Andrew Luck.

The Colts made the playoffs in each of Pagano's first three seasons, falling in the AFC Championship Game last season.

Grigson, who has made some questionable roster moves during his four seasons, is at this point the more likely of the two to be retained by Irsay. Grigson has one more year remaining on his contract and has a very good relationship with the Irsay family.