New NFL head coach ranking disrespects Colts' Shane Steichen

Shane Steichen is coming off a strong first season as an NFL head coach. He led the Indianapolis Colts to a 9-8 record despite having to play with their backup quarterback for the majority of the season.

But it seems that didn't impress CBS Sports, which ranked Steichen as a bottom half of the league head coach in the NFL .

Shane Steichen

Ranking: 19th

CBS Sports ranked Steichen 19th out of 32 NFL head coaches and included him in "Class B," which was labeled as "Accomplished, with questions." Here is what they had to say about the Colts head coach.

The former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator was dealt a potentially fatal hand in 2023, with dynamic rookie Anthony Richardson lasting just four games due to injury. Steichen tailored the offense to backup Gardner Minshew and nearly made the playoffs anyway. Now comes the hard part: Restarting the Richardson project and sustaining the peaks of his debut-season play-calling.

- CBS Sports' NFL Head Coach Rankings

During his first season as head coach, Steichen was dealt a rough hand. He had to adjust to playing with his backup, Gardner Minshew, after Anthony Richardson suffered a shoulder injury that ended his season. His ability to not only keep the offense afloat but also help it stay amongst the highest-scoring groups in the NFL was honestly remarkable.

So, I don't see how you can name 18 coaches in the NFL who are better than Steichen. And in terms of offensive-minded head coaches, he came in at 14th. In my opinion, Steichen has proved with both the Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles that he is one of the best playcallers in the NFL. If his work with a backup QB last season didn't do the trick, I think a full season with a dynamic athlete like Richardson under center in 2024 should help prove his abilities to any doubters who remain.

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