Which former Jaguars players and coaches will show up in Super Bowl LVIII?

The Jacksonville Jaguars let right tackle Jawaan Taylor walk last offseason. While they found a more than adequate replacement in Anton Harrison, it's fair to say that Taylor also did fine as well. Besides signing a four-year deal worth $80 million to join the Kansas City Chiefs, he'll be one of many former coaches and players who'll be part of Super Bowl 58.

Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck, and defensive line coach Joe Cullen previously served on Jacksonville's staff. Heck was an assistant coach and later offensive line coach in the 2000s and early 2010s. He joined Kansas City in 2013. For his part, Cullen was the Jaguars' defensive coordinator in 2021, the Urban Meyer era. He would've liked to stay with the Jags even after Meyer was canned but ultimately took a job as the Chiefs defensive line coach.

There will also be a couple Jaguars players suiting up for the Chiefs on Super Sunday. One is tight end Blake Bell and quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Bell, a fourth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, the Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City (twice).

Gabbert was the 11th overall pick and at one point believed to be a franchise quarterback for Jacksonville. He flopped and was gone after just three seasons. He then became a journeyman for a handful of teams, including the 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals, the Tennessee Titans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now the Chiefs. Not to be outdone, there will also be several former Jaguars suiting up for San Francisco in Super Bowl 58.

Quarterback Brandon Allen, offensive lineman Bartch, safety Tashaun Gipson, and wide receiver Chris Conley all played in Jacksonville. Bartch was the Jaguars starting guard in 2022 and early last season before he was released. On a related note, Gipson made a huge play in the NFC Championship game that swung momentum in the 49ers' favor.

There will also be three former Jaguars assistants roaming on the 49ers sidelines in the championship game: Running backs coach Anthony Lynn, defensive pass coordinator Nick Sorenson, and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be represented in Super Bowl VLIII

It's not uncommon for teams to leave a team for another who makes the Super Bowl the following year. An element of randomness comes with it though. Making it as far as the championship game is no easy task, and even the best clubs have trouble getting there. Sure, the Chiefs will be a trendy pick to play in Super Sunday as long as Patrick Mahomes plays for them. That said, no team has a Super Bowl berth guaranteed.

Blaine Gabbert, for instance, was fortunate enough to backup Tom Brady when the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl and he'll now have a chance at getting his second ring as Mahomes' backup. Similarly, Ben Bartch wouldn't have imagined that he would go from the Jaguars' practice squad after being released to playing getting to the championship game with the 49ers.

Either way, it's great to see players and coaches be part of something as special as the Super Bowl knowing how much work they put in.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be watching the Super Bowl from home but they should be pleased their alumni will be playing or coaching on the biggest stage.

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