The Jacksonville Jaguars got great news when offensive coordinator Grant Udinski announced that he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the head-coaching opening with the Buffalo Bills. However, there was still a chance that the Jags could lose defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile to the vacancy with the Arizona Cardinals.
After several days of uncertainty, Campanile's situation has taken shape. Jacksonville should feel great about the outcome.
Anthony Campanile and Grant Udinksi are back with the Jaguars
Along with Campanile, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur were the top candidates for the Cardinals' job. However, the Jags just announced on their official website that both of their coordinators are returning for 2026, meaning that Campanile is no longer in the mix for the opening in the desert.
While being a head coach in the NFL is a highly coveted position, as there are only 32, the Cardinals vacancy wasn't particularly appealing, as they've routinely gotten poor grades from the NFLPA. On top of that, their quarterback situation is unresolved, with Kyle Murray being the subject of trade speculation.
As of this writing, it's unknown whether Campanile pulled his name from the process or if the Cards chose to go in a different direction. More details will surface soon. Regardless, the Jaguars get to keep him for another year.
Campanile joined the Jags as their defensive coordinator in 2025 after serving as the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers the year prior.
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The Jaguars and Anthony Campanile get to take care of unfinished business in 2026
As inspiring as the Jaguars were in 2025, going from 4-13 to 13-4 in a span of a year, their season finished on a sour loss with the loss to the Buffalo Bills. The defense, in particular, struggled to defend Josh Allen, as the pass rush couldn't bring the heat, and the secondary put up no resistance. With Anthony Campanile back in the mix, Jacksonville will be able to rectify that and build off all the positives from last year, and there were many.
Cornerback Montaric Brown, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and safety Antonio Johnson had banner seasons. The defense went from one of the worst in the league to one of the top 10. If that wasn't enough, Jacksonville set a new record for interceptions in a season with 25. That said, Campanile has his work cut out.
The Jags will need to find a way to boost their pass rush and get better production at defensive tackle. Similarly, recently hired defensive backs coach Mathieu Araujo will be tasked with tightening up the secondary and getting the most out of sophomore Travis Hunter.
But despite the challenges, there's plenty the Jaguars can build off of last year. Having Anthony Campanile back will most definitely help.