The Eagles are starting to shape their post-Kevin Patullo plans, and one of the names that’s emerged as a serious candidate to take over as offensive coordinator is Jim Bob Cooter. According to reports, Philadelphia has officially requested permission from the Colts to interview Cooter for the job - a move that would reunite him with Nick Sirianni and potentially bring a fresh offensive perspective to a team looking to rebound after a disappointing finish.
Cooter’s connection to Sirianni goes back more than a decade. The two were on Romeo Crennel’s Chiefs staff in 2012, and Cooter also spent time with the Eagles in 2021 as an offensive consultant. That stint left a strong impression on Sirianni, who praised Cooter’s football IQ and the unique value he brought to the staff.
“Obviously, he's got a lot of experience and he's a great football mind,” Sirianni said back in 2021. “He’s doing special projects for me and consulting here, which has been great… I’ve already seen the benefit of that with a couple new wrinkles we have in this offense.”
That behind-the-scenes role may have flown under the radar, but Sirianni made it clear that Cooter’s ability to dig into the details of a play - especially when the rest of the staff was focused elsewhere - gave the Eagles a creative edge. That kind of analytical approach could be exactly what Philly needs heading into a pivotal offseason.
Since that 2021 season, Cooter’s coaching journey has continued to gain momentum. He joined Doug Pederson’s staff in Jacksonville in 2022 as the Jaguars’ passing game coordinator and then returned to Indianapolis in 2023 to become Shane Steichen’s offensive coordinator. That move brought him back into familiar territory - both with the Colts organization and with a system that shares DNA with what Sirianni runs in Philly.
While Steichen calls the plays in Indy, Cooter has still had a significant influence on the Colts’ offensive structure and game planning. And the numbers back that up.
Over the past three seasons, the Colts finished 10th, 17th, and 8th in total offense. On the whole, they ranked 9th in scoring and 12th in total yards during Cooter’s tenure - solid production, especially considering the instability at quarterback and injuries that plagued the roster.
This past season, the Colts started strong with an 8-2 record before fading to 8-9, but the offense still showed plenty of promise. They finished 8th in both scoring and yards per play, with Daniel Jones showing real growth before a season-ending injury. Meanwhile, running back Jonathan Taylor turned in a monster campaign, racking up nearly 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns - the kind of performance that speaks to a well-designed and well-executed offensive system.
Given that Cooter would be calling plays in Philadelphia - something he hasn’t done in Indy under Steichen - this would be considered a promotion, not just a lateral move. And for the Eagles, it’s a chance to bring in a coach who not only knows the system but has shown he can adapt and innovate within it.
Cooter’s resume is extensive. Before his time in Jacksonville and Indianapolis, he served as offensive coordinator for the Lions from 2016 to 2018 under both Jim Caldwell and Matt Patricia.
He also coached running backs for the Jets in 2019 and 2020 under Adam Gase. Earlier in his career, he worked as an offensive assistant with the Colts from 2009 to 2011 and spent a season with the Broncos in 2013 as a quality control coach under John Fox.
The Eagles aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket, though. Other known candidates for the OC vacancy include Mike Kafka - a former Eagles draft pick and current Giants offensive coordinator - and Falcons OC Zac Robinson. Both have reportedly already interviewed, so the team is clearly casting a wide net.
But with Cooter’s history with Sirianni, his recent success in Indy, and his reputation as a sharp offensive mind, he may be more than just a familiar face - he could be the right fit at the right time for a team looking to reset and recharge offensively.