By Moses Joshua 
Jim Bob Cooter’s name resurfaces as the Eagles explore familiar offensive leadership options
A familiar figure from the Detroit Lions’ recent past has re-entered the NFL coaching spotlight, and this time the interest is coming from a Super Bowl contender.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Philadelphia Eagles have requested permission to interview Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for their vacant OC position. For Lions fans, the news sparks both nostalgia and reflection, as Cooter’s coaching journey has come full circle in more ways than one.
A Reunion Brewing in Philadelphia
Cooter’s potential move to Philadelphia wouldn’t be a leap into the unknown. He previously worked with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni during the 2021 season, building a professional relationship that now appears to be resurfacing at the right time.
The timing makes sense. Cooter is coming off an impressive season in Indianapolis, where the Colts finished eighth in the NFL in both passing offense and scoring. Under his guidance, the offense found balance and efficiency, with quarterback development and play design drawing praise around the league.
That recent success has clearly put Cooter back on the radar for teams looking to sharpen their offensive identity.
Lions Fans Know the Story Well
In Detroit, Cooter’s name carries weight.
The Lions hired him as quarterbacks coach in 2014, before elevating him to offensive coordinator midway through the 2015 season after Joe Lombardi was dismissed. Cooter went on to hold the role through the 2018 campaign, overseeing a Matthew Stafford–led offense during a transitional era for the franchise.
While his time in Detroit had its ups and downs, Cooter was widely respected for his work with quarterbacks and his adaptability in difficult circumstances. Ultimately, the Lions chose not to renew his contract after the 2018 season, closing a notable chapter in team history.
A Coach Who Never Stopped Evolving
Since leaving Detroit, Cooter has quietly rebuilt and expanded his résumé. Stops with the Jets, Eagles, Jaguars, and Colts have helped him refine his approach and regain league-wide respect as a creative and steady offensive mind.
Now, more than a decade after first arriving in Detroit, Cooter finds himself in demand again — not as a midseason replacement, but as a sought-after coordinator candidate for a team with championship aspirations.
If the Eagles decide to move forward, it would mark a significant step in Cooter’s career and another reminder that NFL coaching paths rarely move in straight lines.
For Lions fans watching from afar, it’s a familiar name in a new moment — and proof that once you’ve been part of the league’s offensive conversation, you’re never too far from it again.