Chuck Pagano’s battle with leukemia that began in 2012 changed him, as any personal cataclysm would a person. But in many ways, the important ways, it didn’t.
The Bears defensive coordinator, who this week returns to Indianapolis where he coached the Colts to a 53-43 record and three playoff appearances between 2012-17, experienced the changes in perspectives that accompanied the cancer fight, which began not long after he’d landed his dream job of being an NFL head coach, with the Colts in 2012. His on- and off-field perspectives have already registered with members of the NFL-leading defense that he inherits from former coordinator Vic Fangio, who left to become head coach of the Denver Broncos.