Finally, the Indianapolis Colts hired Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their new head coach. In turn, it was a quick NFL odds turnaround from the Super Bowl LVII loss to the Chiefs. But the Colts now have their new head coach. Steichen, 37, is the second-youngest head coach in franchise history behind Don Shula. Of course, Shula was 33 years old when he took the head coach job for the Baltimore Colts in 1963. Also, he’s the third-youngest head coach currently in the NFL, with Sean McVay (37) and Kevin O’Connell (37) ahead of him.
2023-24 Super Bowl Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +600 |
| Buffalo Bills | +850 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +900 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +900 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +900 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1500 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +200 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1600 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +2500 |
| Detroit Lions | +2500 |
| New York Jets | +2500 |
| Green Bay Packers | +3500 |
| Miami Dolphins | +3000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +4000 |
| Cleveland Browns | +3500 |
| New York Giants | +4000 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +4000 |
| Denver Broncos | +3500 |
| New Orleans Saints | +3500 |
| All Other Teams | +5000 or higher |
Steichen Clears the Air
Although he started coaching in the NFL in 2011, Steichen has some interesting experience. Steichen has been working with some impressive players and coaches. Steichen started as a defensive assistant with the San Diego Chargers for two seasons (2011-2012). And then, he joined the Cleveland Browns staff as an offensive quality control coach (2013).
Subsequently, Steichen went back to the Chargers as an offensive quality control coach for two seasons (2014-2015). He was later promoted to quarterbacks coach for the next four seasons (2016-2019). Steichen worked closely with Philip Rivers during that online betting period.
Steichen was the interim offensive coordinator in 2019 after the Chargers fired Ken Wisenhunt. Following that move, he was promoted to full-time offensive coordinator in 2020. In turn, that resulted in rookie Justin Herbert having an excellent campaign.
Next, Steichen joined Nick Sirianni’s staff in 2021. He has held the role of offensive coordinator and play-caller since. The Eagles’ offense was among the most explosive units for the NFL betting odds. Correlate that Jalen Hurts has made impressive strides as a quarterback under Steichen’s tenure. Now, with Shane Steichen now set to be the new Indy head coach, the first order of business will be to fill out his offensive staff. Most important of all is finding a potential franchise quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft.
Last season the Colts had one of the NFL’s poorest offenses. Indy ranked 30th in scoring (17 points per game), 27th in QBR (36.8), and 30th in yards per play (4.8). The hope is that Steichen can replicate some of his past successes. For example, the passing attack he developed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. Additionally, the multifaceted approach he displayed with the Eagles the past two seasons.
The Colts have gone to some lengths to downplay their intentions heading into the draft. But it remains a poorly kept secret that they are looking to resolve their yearslong quarterback issues. Indy had different Week 1 starters each of the past five seasons. Steichen arrives largely to help them navigate that.
On the whole, Steichen’s offensive ability scored points with the Colts’ brass. The versatility of Steichen’s scheme will allow the Colts to take an open-minded approach to draft a quarterback.