Jaguars HC opening has stable QB situation, gets positive reviews

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the process of looking for a head coach after giving Urban Meyer the walking papers last December. While they’re not the only NFL team trying to fill in a vacancy — the Minnesota Vikings, the Chicago Bears, the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants currently have openings — they have one of the most attractive jobs in the league.

Matt Lombardo of FanSided talked to several executives and coaches around the league about this year’s head coaching hiring cycle. For the most part, the Jaguars’ job got positive reviews. One AFC coordinator would choose either Jacksonville or Miami because of the weather, “who wouldn’t want to live in either place?”. However, the Jags get the edge because “they have the far more stable quarterback situation”. An NFL personnel executive believes the Jags have an enticing opening.

"The Jaguars are a great spot because you have some really solid young talent, and much lower expectations when it comes to winning right away. Plus, you already have Trevor Lawrence, and the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, too."

Of all the clubs looking for a head coach, the Jaguars have indeed the best quarterback situation. The Vikes seemed to be stuck with Kirk Cousins, the Miami Dolphins may not be completely sold on Tua Tagovailoa, the Bears don’t know what they have in Justin Fields (the same is true for the Giants and Daniel Jones), and the Broncos had a revolving door at the position in 2021.

The only team who may have a better signal-caller than the Jags is Las Vegas Raiders but Rich Bisaccia could end up staying. Of course, there are more reasons beyond having a quarterback for a candidate to agree to a job. However, it can’t be understated how important it is to have stability at the position.

There are also reasons for HC candidates to stay away from the Jaguars.

As attractive as the Jaguars’ head coaching job is, it also comes with cons. Former NFL executive of the year Jeff Diamond told Lombardo he would be skeptical of filling the vacancy in Jacksonville. Nevertheless, he sees the presence of Lawrence as a positive.

"I just don’t trust their owner or the organization. But, the one good thing about taking that job is you’d get to coach Trevor Lawrence, who will get better, and is a good organizational building block."

Diamond might not be alone in that one. Owner Shad Khan has gone through several head coaches and general managers over the last ten years and has only had one winning season in that span. Then, there’s general manager Trent Baalke, who isn’t highly regarded in league circles and is seen as someone who is “often locked in a power struggle“. If the organization keeps him, which seems highly likely, some of the top head-coaching candidates could pass on the opening.

Working with Trevor Lawrence looks like the Jaguars’ main selling point for their head coaching job and there are candidates that would surely like to have the chance to develop the young passer. It’s up to the Jags to choose the correct one.