The Philadelphia Eagles have formally requested permission to interview Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for their vacant offensive coordinator position, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
At a Glance
- The Eagles want to speak with Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter about their open OC role
- Cooter worked with Nick Sirianni in Kansas City in 2012 and again as an Eagles consultant in 2021
- Under Cooter, the Colts ranked 9th in points and 12th in total yards over three seasons
- Why it matters: A move would be a promotion since Shane Steichen calls plays in Indy, giving the Eagles a seasoned play-designer who already knows Sirianni’s system
The request signals the Eagles’ desire to bring in an experienced offensive mind who already has a working relationship with head coach Nick Sirianni. Cooter’s familiarity with the organization stems from his 2021 stint as an offensive consultant, a role in which he researched and developed new plays for the team’s playbook.
Sirianni’s Previous Praise
When Cooter served as a consultant three years ago, Sirianni publicly praised his impact on the offense. He highlighted Cooter’s ability to thoroughly research new plays before they were installed.
“Obviously, he’s got a lot of experience and he’s a great football mind,” Sirianni said in 2021. “I think very highly of him. He’s doing special projects for me and consulting here, which has been great.”
Sirianni explained that Cooter’s process prevented the staff from adding plays without full context: “When you put a new play into your system that you maybe saw on tape, I think it’s very easy for a coach to do that and be like, ‘Oh, I saw that on tape. This looks great. I’m just going to throw it my offense.'”
He continued: “Well, do you know everything there is to know about that play? I’m not saying Jim Bob knows everything there is to know about every play, but what he is able to do is while we’re doing something else, he’s able to go research that play.”
The coach noted immediate benefits: “I’ve already seen the benefit of that with a couple new wrinkles we have in this offense. So really excited to have him. I haven’t really ever had that on a staff, and sometimes it deters you from putting in a play that you might like. So we have really gotten a lot out of him and really excited he’s here.”
Coaching History
Cooter and Sirianni first worked together in 2012 on Romeo Crennell’s Chiefs staff. Since then, Cooter has held multiple offensive roles across the league:
- 2016-2018: Lions offensive coordinator under Jim Caldwell and Matt Patricia
- 2019-2020: Jets running backs coach under Adam Gase
- 2022: Jaguars passing game coordinator under Doug Pederson
- 2023-present: Colts offensive coordinator under Shane Steichen
His earlier career included stops as an offensive assistant with the Colts under Caldwell from 2009-2011 and as an offensive quality control coach with the Broncos under John Fox in 2013.
Colts Tenure by the Numbers
In three seasons as Indianapolis’ offensive coordinator, Cooter’s units produced consistent results despite mid-season volatility:
| Season | Total Offense Rank | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10th | – |
| 2024 | 17th | – |
| 2025 | 8th | 8-9* |
*Team started 8-2 before fading
Over the three-year span, the Colts ranked:
- 9th in total points
- 12th in total yards
This past season, Indianapolis finished:
- 8th in scoring
- 8th in yards per play
Quarterback Daniel Jones posted a breakthrough season before a season-ending injury, while running back Jonathan Taylor amassed nearly 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns.
Why the Move Makes Sense
Because Colts head coach Shane Steichen handles play-calling duties, Cooter’s role in Indianapolis focuses on game-planning, scheme design, and situational preparation. A shift to Philadelphia would represent a clear promotion, as he would assume full play-calling responsibilities.
This structural difference allows the Eagles to offer Cooter a step up without requiring the Colts to release him from a lateral move clause, streamlining the interview process.
Competing Candidates
Cooter joins a short list of confirmed candidates for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator vacancy, which opened after the team dismissed Kevin Patullo last week. The franchise has already conducted interviews with:
- Mike Kafka – Former Eagles draft pick and current Giants offensive coordinator under Brian Daboll since 2022
- Zac Robinson – Falcons offensive coordinator
No additional candidates have been publicly linked to the search, suggesting the Eagles are moving quickly to fill the role before the offseason program intensifies.
Next Steps
With permission granted, Cooter and the Eagles can schedule an interview at any time. The process typically includes meetings with Sirianni, general manager Howie Roseman, and key offensive assistants, followed by a detailed presentation on how he would reshape the offense around quarterback Jalen Hurts and All-Pro receiver A.J. Brown.
If hired, Cooter would inherit an offense that ranked among the league’s most explosive units over the past two seasons, giving him a high-powered foundation to build upon while integrating the research-based approach that once earned Sirianni’s praise.
