4 defensive coordinators Jacksonville Jaguars must pursue in 2021

The Jacksonville Jaguars could benefit from Chuck Pagano’s expertise.

In a way, the Chicago Bears are in a situation that resembles the one the Jaguars are going through. Ever since he took the jog as the team’s general manager, Ryan Pace has failed to find a franchise quarterback and fill their roster with talented players. His job is in jeopardy and he and the coaching staff could get fired at the end of the season.

If that ends up happening, this Jacksonville team may be interested in bringing in defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, who has underseen some efficient defenses throughout his career and could be an upgrade over Todd Wash.

Pagano didn’t have much success in the latter part of his tenure as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and finished the 2017 season with a 4-12 record, which prompted the team to give him the boot. Nevertheless, his track record as a defensive coordinator is enticing.

The Colorado native first became a defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 and that year, their defense ranked third in both yards and points allowed. He did so well that lasted just one year in the job before ‘Indy’ hired him as their head coach in 2012. When they fired him in 2017, he took a year off before becoming the Bears’ defensive coordinator job in 2019.

Last season, Chicago’s defense ranked four in points given up and eight in total yards. This season, the unit is ninth in points and 14 in total yards. Pagano has had success as a defensive coordinator in his previous two stops and things shouldn’t be different if the ‘Jags’ hired him in 2021.