Jaguars owner Shad Khan fired Urban Meyer on December 16, 2021, and since then has been looking for a new football head coach.
Shad Khan and the Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, are taking advantage of a new NFL rule that enables them to interview assistants from other teams during the final two weeks of the regular season.
According to several sources since Meyer’s release, the duo has met with the Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, former Eagles coach Doug Pederson, and Lions coach Jim Caldwell. They have also requested permission to interview Byron Leftwich, Kellen Moore, Nathaniel Hackett, and Matt Eberflus.
Despite all these names, Khan and Baalke haven’t still found the ideal football coach for the Jaguars. But here is what is known about the ongoing search.
1. Offensive-Minded Candidates
Out of the seven aforementioned coaches, five are known for their offensive expertise. Khan and Baalke are leaning toward offensive-minded candidates because they understand that the team’s quarterback, Trevor Lawrance, needs help to develop his game. Since the beginning of the season, he has thrown 17 interceptions and only 10 touchdowns.
2. Football Coach McDaniels Isn’t in the Shortlist
To the surprise of many pundits, journalists, and NFL aficionados, New England Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, isn’t considered for the Jaguars head coaching position. This is despite the fact that McDaniels helped Mac Jones throw 3,540 yards with a 67.8% completion rate, as well as 21 touchdown passes.
3. Brady Favors Leftwich
NFL legend, Tom Brady, believes that Byron Leftwich is the perfect candidate for the vacated head coaching position. In a recent interview, the seven-time Super Bowl winner shared that working with Leftwich during the past two seasons has been nothing but amazing.
Khan is being careful about his team’s new football coach because his decision to hire the inexperienced Urban Meyer turned out to be arguably his worst during his 10-tenure at the Jaguars.