Sources: Colts target Eagles’ Steichen as next HC

The Indianapolis Colts have focused Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen to be their subsequent head coach and plan to rent him if the perimeters can attain settlement on a contract, sources informed ESPN.

The Colts and Steichen can not conform to a deal till after Tremendous Bowl LVII on Sunday. The Colts wish to meet this week to see whether or not they can full a cope with Steichen, who now could be their prime goal after Indianapolis knowledgeable different remaining candidates Sunday morning that they’re out of the operating.

The Colts started telling some head-coaching candidates Friday that they deliberate to go in one other route after which notified extra candidates Sunday, leaving Steichen as the person they plan to rent.

It’s a becoming turnaround, because the Eagles employed former Indianapolis offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni to be their head coach in January 2021.

Steichen would turn out to be the second Eagles offensive coordinator employed by the Colts as their head coach. Frank Reich, who was fired by the Colts earlier this season, additionally was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator earlier than being employed as Indianapolis’ head coach in 2018.

The Colts went 4-12-1 this season below Reich, who was fired after a Week 9 loss to the Patriots, and interim alternative Jeff Saturday, who additionally was a candidate for Indianapolis’ full-time place. Reich was employed final month as the brand new coach of the Panthers.

If Steichen and the Colts attain a deal, the Eagles could be anticipated to have his alternative already on their teaching employees, based on sources.

Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson, one of many NFL’s most sought-after assistant coaches, who has obtained a number of requests to interview for offensive coordinator positions, is predicted to exchange Steichen as Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator, sources informed ESPN.

The Eagles additionally might doubtlessly lose defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who’s interviewing for the Cardinals’ vacant head-coaching place, league sources informed ESPN. It was unsure as of Sunday morning how excessive Arizona’s stage of curiosity is in Gannon, or whether or not the perimeters might doubtlessly conform to a deal.

Two recognized finalists for the Cardinals job are Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. However these two might quickly have competitors from Gannon, who additionally was a finalist final yr for the Texans’ head-coaching job.

Steichen, 37, helped oversee a unit that completed this season with the NFL’s No. 3 offense in each yards per recreation (389.1) and scoring common (28.1).

The Eagles’ offense had six gamers chosen to the Professional Bowl, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, the NFL MVP runner-up who threw 22 landing passes and in addition scored 13 speeding touchdowns regardless of lacking two video games. Huge receivers A.J. Brown (1,496 yards) and DeVonta Smith (1,196) turned the primary duo in Eagles franchise historical past to each eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in the identical season.