Jacksonville Jaguars' Coaching Staff Finalized

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made significant strides in preparing for the upcoming NFL season by finalizing their coaching staff. With the appointment of a new head coach and the imminent hiring of a general manager, the team is poised for a transformative period ahead of the NFL scouting combine.

Key Developments

• Coaching Staff: The Jaguars have completed virtual interviews with 10 external candidates for the general manager position. The team plans to bring in no more than five finalists, including interim GM Ethan Waugh, for in-person interviews next week.
• Scouting Combine: The team will head to Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, which begins on Feb. 26. This event is crucial for evaluating potential draft picks and assessing the team's needs.

Strategic Focus Areas

1. Defensive Overhaul

New defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is tasked with addressing the defense's turnover issues. The Jaguars forced a league-low nine turnovers in 2024, including six interceptions.

Campanile's Approach:

• Emphasizes studying individual players' ball security.
• Focuses on drills that end with a tackle or a takeaway attempt.
• Advocates for a violent finish on tackles and aggressive attempts to separate the ball from players.

2. Decisions on Key Pass-Catchers

The Jaguars face crucial decisions regarding receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram. Both are under contract through 2025, but the team could save $17 million by releasing them.

Christian Kirk:

• Set career highs in catches (84), yards (1,108), and TDs (eight) in 2022.
• Missed 14 games over the past two seasons due to injuries.

Evan Engram:

• Achieved career highs in catches (73) and yards (766) in 2022.
• Topped his previous records with 114 catches for 963 yards in 2023.

3. Free Agency and Draft Strategy

The Jaguars have approximately $32 million in salary cap space and are expected to be active in free agency, particularly in addressing needs at right guard and safety.

Potential Targets:

• Dalton Risner (Minnesota Vikings)
• Evan Brown (Arizona Cardinals)

Conclusion

With their coaching staff in place, the Jacksonville Jaguars are focused on improving their defensive performance and making strategic decisions regarding key players. The upcoming NFL scouting combine and free agency period will be pivotal in shaping the team's future.