Shane Steichen is set to enter his first regular season as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. It’s possible that he’ll win NFL Coach of the Year honors in his debut year with the team.
Most fans and experts don’t envision the Colts making the playoffs this season, but you can’t count them out. This time last year, not many people predicted the New York Giants would be a playoff club, but they proved everyone wrong under first-year head coach Brian Daboll.
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Why Indianapolis Colts’ Shane Steichen Could Take Home the NFL Coach of the Year Award
Offensive Guru Leading the Way
Last season was absolutely miserable for Colts fans. The team finished with a 4-12-1 record and obviously didn’t come anywhere close to reaching the playoffs.
After only nine games, head coach Frank Reich was relieved of his duties and replaced by former Colts offensive lineman Jeff Saturday. Saturday was on the sidelines for the remainder of the season, compiling a forgettable 1-7 record.
The Colts chose not to retain Saturday and hired Steichen as his replacement this offseason. Steichen served as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles during the past two years. Last season, he helped guide the Eagles to the Super Bowl, where they lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Steichen, who is known as an offensive mastermind, is capable of turning around the Colts this season and helping them put a lot more points on the scoreboard.
New Quarterback in Town
Quarterbacks Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, and Nick Foles each started three games for Indianapolis during the 2022-23 campaign. All three players struggled mightily. Both Ryan and Foles were released this offseason and Ehlinger is currently the Colts’ third-string signal-caller.
Instead of opting for a veteran like they have the past three years, the Colts finally drafted a quarterback in the first round this year. They selected former Florida Gators star Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson could very well become the team’s best quarterback since Andrew Luck retired before the 2019 season. There’s a chance that he’ll have an immediate impact like Luck did as a rookie back in 2012. That year, Luck impressively led the team to an 11-5 record and a trip to the playoffs.
Richardson is surrounded by weapons like receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and rookie Josh Downs, making life easier for the young quarterback. In Philadelphia, Steichen helped transform Jalen Hurts into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. He can surely play a crucial role in turning Richardson into a dynamic player even as a rookie.
Shane Steichen certainly has a chance to win Coach of the Year if Richardson comes up with a big-time debut season for the Colts.
Having a Healthy Jonathan Taylor
Pittman Jr. and Co. will help out Richardson quite a bit, but having star running back Jonathan Taylor around could definitely be beneficial. Taylor is currently on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season. He has also requested a trade due to seeking a contract extension.
Taylor is arguably the NFL’s best running back when healthy. If he can change his mind about wanting a trade and manages to stay healthy, the Colts could sport a dangerous offense this year. Taylor would take a lot of pressure off of Richardson, which would only make the quarterback even more productive.
Receiving contributions from the Colts defense, which is led by DeForest Buckner and Shaquille Leonard, will also improve the chances of Shane Steichen winning Coach of the Year honors.
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Main Photo: Bill Streicher – USA Today Sports
