Getty Image / Justin Casterline
The Indianapolis Colts have had one wild coaching search. Since firing Frank Reich midseason, it has been quite the whirlwind.
Jim Irsay hired Colts legendary center Jeff Saturday to be the interim coach. That was met with much criticism.
And, the criticism was likely founded. Saturday inherited a team many thought was underachieving at 3-5-1, but they were very much in the thick of things in the putrid AFC South. That didn’t last long, though, and they stumbled home with a 1-7 finish under Saturday.
But, it was rumored for a while that Irsay was set on bringing Saturday back. The internet found that idea funny.
just realized the Colts are going to announce they’re hiring Jeff Saturday during the second quarter of the Super Bowl and hope nobody notices
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) February 7, 2023
But, it appears they are about to hire someone else.
The Indianapolis Colts have targeted Eagles’ offensive coordinator Shane Steichen to be their next head coach after informing other remaining candidates this morning that they are moving in a different direction, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VgUa5YFXfa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 12, 2023
Wow. That’s an absolutely shocking hire, even if it may be a good one. The 37-year old was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers before coming to Philadelphia to work for Nick Sirianni. There, he’s assisted with making the Eagles offense one of the league’s best and making Jalen Hurts a bona-fide star.
It will be his first head-coaching job at any level, but that’s something that NFL teams seem to value less nowawadays. The Colts certainly did not value it in this situation.
He will come into a franchise that has some great pieces like Quentin Nelson, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman, and Shaq Leonard. But, they desperately need a franchise quarterback.