Jaguars must consider adding O-Line coach Mike Munchak to staff

Now that Doug Pederson has been named the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, it will be interesting to see what kind of staff he puts together. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that Pederson might give Press Taylor consideration for a role with the team and Mike Caldwell should be a candidate for the defensive coordinator job. As of this writing, it’s uncertain what other coaches Pederson is targeting for his staff but he should consider hiring Mike Munchak to oversee their offensive line.

It doesn’t look like offensive line coach George Warhop will be returning to Jacksonville, as he’s gone on to apply for the same position with the Buffalo Bills. Phil Rauscher ultimately got the job but Warhop might want a fresh start elsewhere after spending the last three years with the Jaguars and two different regimes. If Pederson wants to get the best offensive line available in the open market, he should make a run for Munchak.

After a 12-year career in the NFL, nine Pro Bowls, and two All-Pro designations, Munchak got inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He joined the Houston Oilers’ coaching staff in 1994 and worked his way up the coaching ranks. While he earned his chops as an offensive line coach, he went on to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2011 to 2013. Once he was given the boot, he was the offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos before being relieved of his duties not long ago.

Mike Munchak could turn the Jaguars’ O-Line into a top-tier unit.

Taylor is currently an assistant in the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff and was Pederson’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in Philly. Meanwhile, Caldwell was Eagles linebackers coach when Pederson was their quarterbacks coach back in the early 2010s. Both should be solid additions to the Jaguars but if Pederson wants to hit it out of the ballpark, he should target Munchak.

Warhop always worked with what he was given and always got the best of his players. He helped left tackle Cam Robinson make a significant leap last season and played a key role in Walker Little’s early development. Also, it’s always refreshing to listen to him talk. On the other hand, Munchkin helped Alejandro Villanueva develop in Pittsburgh and did the same for Garett Bolles in Denver. There’s no doubt that he would be a positive influence in Jacksonville. Imagine if the Jags select Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, wouldn’t you want one of the offensive line coaches to oversee his development?

Now, it doesn’t look like Pederson has ever collaborated with Munchak but he should definitely be aware of his work in the league. Why not call his agent and see if he’s interested in joining his coaching staff?

Pederson will complete his coaching staff in the upcoming days and once he does, he will need to work on improving the roster. Munchak could help him with the offensive line.