Darrell Rovell will now be in charge of running the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense.
After performing due diligence, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Urban Meyer as their new head coach. The former Florida and Ohio State head coach has now started to assemble his coaching staff and has made a couple of key hirings. Joe Cullen is expected to become the team’s defensive coordinator while it seems like Darren Bevell will be their offensive coordinator of choice.
The ‘Jags’ are closing in on Bevell as their offensive coordinator, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. This is mildly surprising news because as recently as the week before, former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was the frontrunner to land the job. There could always be a last-minute change of heart, but it seems unlikely at this point and it could be just a matter of time before the organization announces the hiring.
Bevell will be tasked with getting back to life an offense that struggled to put points on the board and quickly fell behind throughout the season. Just like every other candidate, the Arizona native comes with his own set of strengths and flaws. However, his previous track record is solid and should be a sign that the Jaguars’ offense will be in good hands moving forward.
The Jacksonville Jaguars must feel comfortable with Darrell Bevell’s work.
Of course the Jaguars should feel comfortable with Bevell’s track record. Otherwise, why would they hire him? Then again, NFL head coaches every now and then make hirings based on their personal connections instead of how qualified the candidate is. This is not the case though, as he has overseen some pretty good offenses throughout his NFL career.
The Detroit Lions hired Bevell as their offensive coordinator in 2019 and later became their interim head coach after they parted ways with Matt Patricia with five games left to play in 2020. Although he only won one of those contests, he took over a team that had been hindered by injuries all year long, which would make it difficult to objectively assess his five-game stint.
Bevell was the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator from 2011 to 2017 and their offense ranked within the top ten in points scored in his first four years with the team. Before that, Bevell had been the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings from 2006 to 2010. With the ‘Vikes’, his unit ranked twelfth in points scored in 2008 and second the following year.
Bevell has certainly had a few duds, like calling a pass against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 49 that was intercepted at the goal line instead of handing the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch. Also, he wasn’t able to get the Seahawks’ offense going when Lynch retired in 2016. In his last three years with the ‘Hawks’, the offense ranked 18, 11, and 18 respectively after ranking in the top ten the previous four.
Bevell will get the most out of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ playmakers.
Even though the Jaguars’ offense ranked 31st in both total yards and points scored this past season, there are some pieces in place for Darrell Bevell to work with. Undrafted free agent James Robinson quickly established himself as one of the best running backs right out of the gate. Bevell made Marshawn Lynch the focal point of Seattle’s offense and he could do the same with the Illinois State standout in Jacksonville.
Also, the Jaguars’ wide receiver corps is in solid shape heading into the 2021 season and Bevell should have enough pieces for his offense. D.J. Chark played at a high level last year even though the team lacked consistent quarterback play. On the other hand, rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. displayed flashes of playmaking prowess and should continue developing. Also, the team’s brass could also re-sign Keelan Cole or bring in a free agent to round out the unit.
More importantly, Bevell will be in charge of developing the quarterback the ‘Jags’ will take with the first overall pick in 2021’s draft, who will most likely be Trevor Lawrence. Regardless, of whom the team ends up choosing, the cupboard won’t be empty.
If the Jaguars can bring in a few difference-makers this offseason and Bevell can work his magic the way he did early in his stint with the ‘Hawks’, the team could have the best offense it has had in years.