Colts offensive coordinator ‘may be in play’ for Eagles job

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo speculates that current Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter could be a top candidate for the Eagles’ identical position—if it becomes available.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter ‘may be in play’ among the top candidates for the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator job, if it becomes vacant shortly.

Current Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson is interviewing for a few NFL head coaching positions during this current cycle, so the position could open up rather soon.

Cooter served as the Eagles’ passing game coordinator in 2022 before returning to the Colts as offensive coordinator for the first year of new head coach Shane Steichen, who brought Cooter with him from Philadelphia. Cooter formerly served as an offensive assistant for the Colts from 2009 to 2011, among other professional coaching gigs.

Of course, because this is a lateral move—from NFL offensive coordinator to NFL offensive coordinator—rather than a coaching promotion (even if Cooter is potentially calling offensive plays for the Eagles, as Steichen does in Indianapolis), the Colts would theoretically have to give Cooter permission to leave for such a coaching position.

Now, if Cooter directly requested to go for Philadelphia, the Colts may honor the request, as they did with Bubba Ventrone last year. To be fair, Ventrone was elevated to Cleveland Browns assistant head coach and special teams coordinator. Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard has been insistent about just retaining players and personnel that want to stay in the building and be Colts.

To me, it still seems unlikely that Cooter would depart for what appears to be a lateral move, especially considering Steichen’s current job security over Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who might be dismissed after another rough season next year.