The Indianapolis Colts intend to hire Jacksonville Jaguars assistant Jim Bob Cooter as their offensive coordinator, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.
Cooter will join the staff under new Colts head coach Shane Steichen, who was hired last week after two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Steichen told reporters during his introductory news conference that he intends to call offensive plays in Indianapolis.
Cooter, 38, worked last season as Jacksonville's passing-game coordinator under Doug Pederson. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence saw a dramatic improvement in his second NFL season while leading the Jaguars to the playoffs. After completing 59.6% of his passes for six yards per attempt with 12 touchdowns and a league-worst 17 interceptions as a rookie, Lawrence completed 66.3% of his passes for seven yards per attempt with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022. Jacksonville's passing attack ranked 10th in yards per game last season after ranking 22nd in 2021.
Cooter previously worked as a consultant for the Eagles alongside Steichen in 2021. In addition to coaching roles with the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and a prior stint as a Colts assistant, Cooter was the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2016-18. He's worked with quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Peyton Manning in addition to Lawrence and Hurts,.
After struggling to a disappointing 4-12-1 finish in 2022 with Matt Ryan, Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger at quarterback, the Colts will be on the market this offseason for an upgrade at quarterback. They own the fourth pick in the draft where Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and Kentucky's Will Levis project as early selections. Developing a young quarterback could be job No. 1 for Cooter in his new role.
