Joe Philbin chose job with Colts over Giants this offseason

There has been a lot of talk this offseason about the Colts offensive line, from the unit being an area of need to the Colts adding four linemen in the draft to the Colts adding a notable offensive line coach in Joe Philbin, the unit has been heavily covered.

One of the things we have heard most frequently from the Colts in connection to the offensive line, however, is that addition of Philbin to coach the position, a big-name hire that the Colts hope will pay dividends on the field. Owner Jim Irsay, general manager Ryan Grigson, head coach Chuck Pagano, and several players have all raved about Joe Philbin, and as Pagano said not too long ago, the Colts were lucky to get him.

As it turns out, Philbin had his choice of jobs before ultimately deciding to head to Indianapolis. ESPN's Mike Wells wrote that Philbin had the choice to join Ben McAdoo's staff with the New York Giants, and Philbin coached with McAdoo - who "looks at Philbin as a mentor" - with the Packers. The opportunity to coach a unit that protects Andrew Luck, along with the opportunity to move back to the midwest, sold Philbin on the Colts.

This is the first I can remember seeing it confirmed that Philbin had a choice between several jobs, though it was long expected that was the case and there were reports before he was hired indicating as much. There was actually a report in mid-January that Philbin would become the Giants' offensive coordinator, but obviously that didn't happen. It's possible, then, that Philbin actually choose the offensive line coach spot with the Colts over an offensive coordinator position with the Giants, though that's unconfirmed.

Either way, it appears as if Joe Philbin was a sought-after coach this offseason after he was fired by the Miami Dolphins mid-season last year after three-plus years as their head coach. Philbin has extensive experience coaching offensive linemen, and the Colts are hoping that experience translates into helping a unit that could really use it. It sounds like protecting Andrew Luck was what helped sell Joe Philbin on coming to the Colts, and that's his biggest job. If he can help do that, all of the offseason hype about the addition will seem justified.