Significant staff changes are not expected here. The Colts will need to replace defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who is headed to Notre Dame. But any moves by Shane Steichen will be minor unless key coaches find upward mobility elsewhere, which is a possibility. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will interview with Tennessee and New York. Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter could get looks as a playcaller elsewhere. (Steichen calls the plays in Indy.)
After Carlie Irsay-Gordon on behalf of franchise ownership announced earlier this week that head coach Shane Steichen will return for at least the 2026 season—albeit with even a greater sense of urgency, it doesn’t appear as though there will be major changes to the Colts coaching staff this offseason.
That being said, as Fowler notes, the Colts could potentially have openings created internally.
Specifically, veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is interviewing for both the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants head coaching vacancies. It’s possible that offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter could be an interview candidate for potential open head coaching jobs as well. Otherwise, both would theoretically return.
One familiar name that could be a candidate to join Steichen’s offensive staff in some capacity is recently retired (again) longtime 44-year old veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, who after surprisingly unretiring for 3 starts in Indianapolis this late season, appeared open to potential NFL head coaching opportunities down the road when recently asked this offseason.
While Rivers has reiterated his personal interest in coaching his rising senior and freshman sons next high school football season in Fairhope, Alabama, he didn’t completely rule out taking an NFL coaching job as soon as next year. However, it could be something that could ultimately happen in another year or two.
If the Colts were to lose say Cooter this offseason, could Rivers be a fit on Steichen’s coaching staff?
He would add a lot of value as either an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach—even if it’s not quite a head coaching job. One could make an argument that he would already be an upgrade to the current latter.
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