In line with CBS Sports activities’ Cody Benjamin, new Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is ranked as his twenty fourth greatest head coach coming into the 2023 season:

24. Shane Steichen (Colts)

Season: 1st with IND, 1st as HC

Profession document: N/A | Playoffs: N/A

He’s bought a probably tall job on his palms, satisfying proprietor Jim Irsay whereas turning uncooked rookie QB Anthony Richardson into a cushty NFL passer, and but Steichen was calm, collected and strategically adaptable shepherding each Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, respectively.

Now, to be honest, most rookie head coaches are ranked in the direction of the underside of any record, as there simply isn’t a observe document or historical past of success as the top man to fall again upon. I wouldn’t take this as a slight on Steichen, as he ought to shortly ascend such a rating.

Solely 38 years previous, Steichen is thought to be one of many vibrant younger offensive minds in soccer. He helped coach and known as performs for the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles, who had one of many league’s greatest offenses final yr.

He’s had prior success growing a pair of younger quarterbacks: Jalen Hurts and Shane Steichen, and that ought to serve him effectively with the Colts, as one in all his main duties might be making certain the longer term development and maturation of prime rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Like Hurts, Richardson has dynamic dual-threat potential, so Steichen ought to be capable to make the most of his legs within the RPO sport, play-action, and bootlegs.

The Colts favored Steichen a lot as a candidate and wished to poach him from the Eagles teaching workers sufficient, that Indianapolis even gave him a Sixth-year in his new contract, indicating their robust long-term dedication—which is uncommon for a rookie NFL head coach.

Steichen ought to carry some comparable offensive philosophies to former Indy head coach Frank Reich, each coming from the Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers (and with robust ties to Philly head coach Nick Sirianni). That being mentioned, he ought to carry some a lot wanted fireplace and accountability to a Colts locker room that was seemingly missing it final season.

We’ll see if the Colts conviction in Steichen pays off in-time, however I’d count on to see him climb up this head coach rating—even with the short-term rebuilding Indianapolis roster.