Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell ready to coach LB Myles Jack

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to make upgrades to their defense this offseason but they also need a few contributors to bounce back in 2022. Linebacker Myles Jack is one of those players and he should get back on track with the help of recently hired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell.

After announcing their coaching staff, the Jags made Caldwell, along with head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor, available to the local media. Caldwell touched on several topics including how he will run his defense and what he’s seen so far on tape from his current group. The defensive coordinator says one thing that stands out when he watches film is how hard Jacksonville’s defense played last season. He also says their secondary has a nice mix and had high praise for Jack.

"Who, with Miles [Jack]? He would just… I’m ready to coach him, I’m ready to go whenever he wants to do and he’s that type of just talking to him. He’s that type of guy that whatever the team asked him to do, he’s a team-oriented guy, whatever we want him to do, he’s gonna go out there and do it to the best of his ability. But as coaches, it’s our job to let him go do what he does well, and that’s what we plan on doing."

A second-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jack has been a mainstay of their defense over the last six seasons. Even though he doesn’t have any Pro Bowl nods or All-Pro designations, he’s been among the best linebackers in the league throughout his career. However, he had a relatively down year in 2021. Even though he posted a team-high 108 total tackles last season, he didn’t generate any big plays. Here’s the whole presser in case you want to check it. Caldwell starts talking at the 19:18 mark.

Mike Caldwell can help Jaguars LB Myles Jack rebound in 2022.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro linebacker Devin White has credited Caldwell for his success, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him put Jack in a position to succeed and help him reach his ceiling. The fact that Mack has changed position over the last few years hasn’t helped matters but if Caldwell really lets him do what he does best, the linebacker could have his most productive year to date.

The Jaguars could free up $8.35 million in cap space with a dead cap hit of $4.8 if they release (or trade) Jack. Many teams would surely be interested in him if the front office makes him available but they can’t keep trading away their best players. Jack is one of many core players the Jags have on defense and instead of parting ways with him, they need to see him as a part of the foundation they’re currently trying to build.

Myles Jack has shown he can play at a high level and he could be even better under Mike Caldwell. It will be interesting to see what the defensive coordinator has in store for him.