Indianapolis Colts Hire Eagles’ Coordinator Shane Steichen as New Head Coach

The 2022-2023 Indianapolis Colts season was one fans can't forget fast enough. After an off-season full of hope that saw the addition of Matt Ryan at quarterback following his release from the Atlanta Falcons, the return of one of the league's best offensive lines, along with one of the best running backs in the league in Jonathan Taylor, the team not only stumbled out of the gate, they never got their feet underneath them and limped their way a 4-12-1 record. The only bright spot of that record is that it earned them the fourth overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft which they are expected to use on a new quarterback (and if they don't, fans may riot outside of Lucas Oil Stadium). With the dreadful season behind them, which also included firing head coach Frank Reich halfway through, the team has announced it's found they believe can turn things around.

Indianapolis Colts Hire Shane Streichen Has Head Coach

ESPN NFL Insider, Adam Schefter announced on Sunday during the network's Super Bowl pregame coverage the Colts had been contacting the other finalists for the job to let them know they were no longer in the running and that they were targeting Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator, Shane Steichen (pronounced STY-KEN) to be their new head coach.

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Under Steichen, the Eagles' offense was second-best in the league in total yards last season, third in average yards per game, second in total points, and third in average points scored per game.

Of course, it helps that Steichen had one of the better quarterbacks in the league in Jalen Hurts under center who proved to be a dual threat that could punish defenses with his legs just as much as he could with his arm. A fact the Colts and its fans know all too well as it was Hurts who rushed for what would turn out to be the game-winning touchdown when the two teams met in Indianapolis back on November 20th.

In the Colts, Steichen takes over a team with several questions. The first and most important is who will be the quarterback when the offseason training begins. Many analysts believe it could be one of the three top prospects at the position in this year's draft; Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, or Kentucky's Will Levis. The first two have a play style similar to Hurts.

The Indianapolis-Philadelphia Connection

Steichen is the latest in a line of transactions between the two teams. Former head coach, Frank Reich was hired after he helped lead the Eagles to a championship over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52 in 2018 as its offensive coordinator. Reich hired Nick Sirianni as his offensive coordinator, and the Eagles hired Sirianni to be their head coach in 2021 to take over for Doug Pederson who Reich worked under during his time in Philly. And that's just the coaching connection. The Colts traded for Eagles' offensive lineman Matt Pryor in August of 2021, and the Eagles signed Colts wide receiver, Zach Pascal after the Colts let him test the market in free agency. Still with me?

Terms of Streichen's Deal with the Colts

Details of Steichen's contract were not revealed with the announcement of his signing, but will likely be revealed soon.

With Steichen signed, the work begins on assembling his supporting coaching staff. While it's possible some of the current Colts' coaches will remain (the team has reportedly blocked other teams from interviewing defensive coordinator Gus Bradley for their open positions), it's likely many will be replaced by people Streichen has worked with in the past or is more familiar with which is common when a team hires a new head coach.

As a Colts fan, as frustrated and disappointed as I was with the way last season played out, I'm excited to see what Streichen does with the team, especially after the draft once they (hopefully) have selected their quarterback of the future (personally, I'm hoping for Stroud).

For a more in-depth, analytical look at what Steichen brings to the position, check out this profile written by Zach Hicks with Sports Illustrated.