Jaguars could sign these 4 free agents if they hire Kellen Moore as HC
After finishing the 2021 season on a strong note, the Jacksonville Jaguars can now turn their attention to the offseason and their search for their next head coach. Although Jags already met with several potential candidates, it will be a couple of weeks before they wrap up the process.
On Friday, the Jaguars met with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore via Zoom. After a productive career at Boise State, Moore signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and went on to spend three years in their practice squad. He then joined the Cowboys in 2015 and appeared in three games with two starts that year. He suffered a season-ending injury the following year and called it quits in 2017.
Once Moore hung up the cleats, he joined Big D’s coaching staff and quickly moved up the ranks. He’s spent the last three seasons as their offensive coordinator and is one of the hottest names in this hiring cycle. The Cowboys had the top-ranked offense in 2021 and Moore he’s a big reason why. If he ends up getting a head coaching job, he could bring some players he’s worked with in Dallas. In particular, these four pending free agents could follow him to Jacksonville if he fills the vacancy left by Urban Meyer.
No. 1 Cowboy that could follow Moore to the Jaguars – Leighton Vander Esch
Linebacker Damien Wilson is set to be a free agent and if the Jaguars don’t bring him back, they could sign Leighton Vander Esch to play alongside Myles Jack. A first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Vander Esch played in all 17 games in 2021, which is noteworthy when you take into account that he suffered a neck injury in 2019 and a clavicle fracture in 2020.
The Boise State product logged 77 total tackles, 48 tackles for a loss, two passes defensed, and one interception, which came in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 2021 regular season. After showing no lingering issues from the injuries he’s previously suffered, the linebacker should have plenty of suitors in the offseason.