The Colts may have dodged a bullet - or at least delayed a potentially significant coaching departure.
Indianapolis offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter was firmly on the radar for the Philadelphia Eagles’ OC vacancy, even getting as far as an in-person interview. That’s usually a strong indicator of serious interest, especially considering his connection to Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
The two worked together in 2021 when Cooter was an offensive consultant on Sirianni’s staff. There’s also a direct pipeline here - Shane Steichen, now the Colts’ head coach, held the OC job in Philly before making the move to Indy.
But despite the connections and the buzz, the Eagles are heading in a different direction. They’re reportedly hiring Sean Mannion, the Green Bay Packers’ quarterbacks coach, to fill the role. That decision keeps Cooter in Indianapolis - for now.
It’s not a lock that he stays, though. The New York Giants are reportedly planning to interview Cooter as well, keeping the door open for a potential change on the Colts’ staff. So while Indy can breathe a little easier today, they’re not entirely out of the woods yet when it comes to keeping their offensive coordinator.
Here’s why this matters: While Cooter holds the OC title in Indianapolis, the role doesn’t come with play-calling responsibilities - that duty belongs to Steichen. On the other hand, the Eagles and Giants OC positions would likely include play-calling duties, offering Cooter a step up in terms of responsibility and visibility. For a coach looking to eventually land a head coaching job, that’s a meaningful difference.
Still, Cooter’s impact in Indy is hard to overlook. Since taking over in 2023, he’s helped shape an offense that finished this past season ranked eighth in both points per game and yards per play - a strong showing by any measure.
And through the first half of the year, the Colts were one of the most dynamic and difficult offenses to scheme against. The system was creative, efficient, and gave defenses headaches on a weekly basis.
So while his future remains a bit uncertain, one thing is clear: Cooter is a coach on the rise. Whether he stays in Indianapolis or moves on to a play-calling role elsewhere, his name isn’t going away anytime soon.