As offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, Shane Steichen got to the Super Bowl coaching Jalen Hurts, a former Alabama quarterback. As the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, could Steichen work to return to the NFL championship game with another former Crimson Tide QB – Bryce Young?

Both quarterbacks were mentioned during the press conference where Steichen was introduced as the Colts’ new coach on Tuesday, two days after the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII.

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One of the factors in Steichen’s favor when Indianapolis considered its candidates was his work with quarterbacks, Colts owner Jim Irsay said, “knowing we’re going to have to find a young quarterback to develop.”

Indianapolis has had a different leading passer for six consecutive seasons, and Matt Ryan with 12, Sam Ehlinger with three and Nick Foles with two started games at quarterback for the Colts in 2022.

Indianapolis holds the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Irsay appeared to make his preference known on Tuesday.

“No one can shy away from what quarterback means in this league and how we have to look going forward,” Irsay said, “where Shane and (general manager) Chris (Ballard) really dig into this draft and really see where you’re at. Do you stay put? Do you trade up? There’s many things you can do. (Philadelphia) took Jalen in the second round.”

“Trade back,” Ballard interjected.

“He likes picks,” Irsay said, “although the Alabama guy doesn’t look bad. It’ll be exciting.”

Young is considered among the top quarterbacks available in this year’s draft, which will be held April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Steichen was on the San Diego/Los Angeles staff for six seasons when former Athens High School star Philip Rivers was the Chargers quarterback. Steichen served as Chargers offensive coordinator in Justin Herbert’s rookie season. Steichen worked with Hurts in his first two seasons as an NFL starting quarterback with the Eagles.

“I think accuracy, decision-making and the ability to create are the three things that I look at in a quarterback,” Steichen said. “I think those three things are important, but obviously above the neck. The players that I’ve around – Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert and Philip Rivers – they all have one thing in common: They’re obsessed with their craft. And if you can find that in a quarterback, you’re probably going to have some success.”

Steichen said his offense would fit the quarterback, not the other way around, and he cited the different types of quarterbacks that he had coached.

“Obviously, being around Philip, he was already in the system for so many years,” Steichen said. “He was an established quarterback, so we continued to do what he did well. …

“Having Justin as a rookie, really, these guys coming out of college – what are they doing well in college? Can we adapt that to our game offensively and build around his strengths?

“And same thing with Jalen over the past two years — building that thing with him. What are his strengths, what does he do well? And he does a lot well. He’s a hell of a football player, and I was very, very fortunate to be around him the last two years.”

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Steichen thanked a list of people to open his portion of the press conference, including the football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope.

“Thank you to Philip Rivers,” Steichen said. “I can’t say enough about how much impact you’ve had on me as a coach, so many great memories together and couldn’t be more thankful for our friendship.”

Steichen thanked many other players who were on his path to Indianapolis, including 18 members of the Eagles’ 2022 offense. Among those cited with Hurts were former Alabama standouts Landon Dickerson and DeVonta Smith and ex-Athens High star Quez Watkins.

“I would not be sitting here today if it wasn’t for you,” Steichen said.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.