One Player Each Colts’ Head Coaching Finalist Could Bring to Indy

As the Indianapolis Colts zero in on a head coach, who is a player each finalist could bring with them if offered the job?

Andrew Moore | Feb 1, 2023

In this story:

The search for the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts is in its fourth week as the team narrows its search.

The Colts have trimmed their list of candidates to seven, with second interviews expected to wrap up by Wednesday evening. The list of finalists is as follows:

Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero

Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris

New York Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Rich Bisaccia

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan

It is not uncommon for coaches to bring along players from their previous stops. All coaches have players in mind that they have worked with in the past who fit their scheme and can make the team better. Conversely, players like to join teams with coaches they have a good relationship with and feel will put them in the best position to succeed.

Outside of Saturday – because he has never coached anywhere else – all of the candidates have players that could join them with the Colts this offseason. Let’s identify who those players are and their fit with the Colts. Note that all the players listed are expected to be free agents when the new league year begins in March.

Ejiro Evero and DE Dre’Mont Jones

Evero became the defensive coordinator for the Broncos last season after Nathaniel Hackett was hired as head coach. Before that, Evero was the secondary coach/pass game coordinator for the Rams. While things did not go well on the offensive side of the ball in Denver, Evero’s unit kept the team in games as the Broncos finished seventh in total defense, allowing 320.0 total yards per game.

A young free agent who could follow Evero to Indy is defensive end Dre’Mont Jones. Jones is a former third-round pick out of Ohio State who can play inside and outside on the defensive line. He started all 13 games he played last season, putting up career highs in sacks (6.5), tackles (47), and tackles for loss (9). Jones could look to follow the coach he had his best season under, and the Colts are always looking to add more pass rushers.

Raheem Morris and S Nick Scott

Morris has been the defensive coordinator for the Rams for the past two seasons, helping lead them to a victory in Super Bowl LVI. While the Rams as a team took a step back in 2022, Morris is well-regarded around the league and has connections to build a stellar staff in Indy. Reports are that both interviews with Morris went very well, and he is considered a favorite for the Colts’ head coaching job.

While it may seem like the Colts do not need help at safety with players such as Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II, and Nick Cross returning next season, there is no guarantee that Rodney McLeod returns after his solid 2022 campaign. Nick Scott has been a depth player for the Rams but started 16 games last year while tallying 86 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Scott provides depth at strong safety and can help on special teams, where he has plenty of experience in his four-year career.

Wink Martindale and CB Fabian Moreau

Martindale is well-regarded for his aggressive style of defense that likes to send pressure at a high rate. Martindale has only been the defensive coordinator of the Giants for one season after manning that position with the Baltimore Ravens for the four seasons prior. He is respected around the NFL, and players love playing for him.

Fabian Moreau had a solid year in Martindale’s scheme after signing with the Giants as a free agent in 2022. Moreau started 11 games while setting a career-high in tackles with 66 and registering ten pass deflections. Moreau is a big, fast cornerback that could push for a starting job on the outside opposite of Stephon Gilmore.

Rich Bisaccia and LB Eric Wilson

After leading the Las Vegas Raiders to the playoffs as an interim head coach in 2021, Bisaccia was not retained by the Raiders as Josh McDaniels was hired as the head coach. Bisaccia moved on to the Packers, where he helped turn around a special teams unit that had struggled the season before. Special teams became a strength of the Packers in 2022, and Bisaccia would like another chance to lead a franchise.

A player that saw success on the special teams unit in Green Bay was Eric Wilson. While Wilson hardly saw any snaps on defense, he is a speedy, athletic linebacker that has started 27 games in his six-year career. The Colts have free agent linebackers in Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed, who may not return. Wilson could offer experience, depth, and high-caliber special teams play.

Shane Steichen and QB Gardner Minshew

Steichen has become a favorite amongst Colts fans for the head coaching position for his work with the Eagles’ offense and quarterbacks in general. Steichen has experience working with Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers, and his work developing Jalen Hurts with the Eagles stands out. With the Colts likely to select a quarterback in the top five of the NFL Draft, Steichen would be a perfect match to bring that quarterback along.

The Colts will likely release Matt Ryan and Nick Foles if either decides not to retire, leaving Sam Ehlinger as the lone quarterback on the roster. A perfect bridge quarterback or veteran backup for the incoming rookie could be Gardner Minshew. Minshew has been with Steichen for two seasons in Philly, throwing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games of relief for Hurts. The Colts have also seen what Minshew can do up close after facing him for two seasons when Minshew was with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Brian Callahan and QB Brandon Allen

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen (8) warms up before the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Nfl Week 18 — © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Callahan has been gaining steam quickly in the interview process and is one of the favorites to land the Colts’ head coaching gig. Callahan has experience working with high-level quarterbacks, including Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr, and Joe Burrow. All of these quarterbacks have had fantastic seasons while working with Callahan, and he has helped turn the Bengals’ offense into one of the best in the NFL.

Similar to Steichen, Callahan could bring a veteran bridge/backup quarterback with him in Brandon Allen. Allen has been a career backup, posting 1,611 yards, ten touchdowns, and six interceptions in 15 career games. He has been with Callahan and the Bengals since 2020 and may see a better opportunity to get some action with the Colts than behind Burrow in Cincy.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewMooreNFL.

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Published Feb 1, 2023

ANDREW MOORE

Andrew Moore is the Senior Analyst for Horseshoe Huddle and an Indianapolis Colts expert. Andrew is also the co-host of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast and the former co-host of A Colts Podcast.