The Jacksonville Jaguars might've felt fidgety when offensive coordinator Grant Udinski began to draw interest for a pair of head-coaching jobs. Following the loss to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, he interviewed for the opening with the Cleveland Browns. Then, it was the Buffalo Bills.
For a brief moment, his departure was inevitable: If the Browns didn't hire him, Buffalo would, and vice versa. However, the Jags must've taken a sigh of relief when he withdrew his name for consideration for one of the jobs.
Grant Udinski is staying with the Jaguars after shunning the Browns
After his second meeting with Cleveland, Grant Udinski pulled his name from consideration. Not long after the news broke, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Jags had just given a raise to their offensive coordinator.
Udinski is just 30 and didn't hold playcalling duty with Jacksonville. However, he's seen across the league as an ascending offensive mind, so it's not particularly surprising that he earned coaching consideration for two head-coaching openings just one season after joining the Jags. That he passed on the Browns' opening goes on to show that he's setting his sights higher.
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Grant Udinski may be targeting the Bills or waiting for a better fit
There are only 32 head-coaching jobs in the NFL. Anywhere from six to 10 might be open on any given year, so it's fair to say that they're the kind to aspire for. If Grant Udinski didn't want to join the Browns, it's because he wants to join the Bills or because he doesn't think either opening is appealing. If that was the case, though, he would've already withdrawn his name from consideration.
Then again, Udinski isn't necessarily the frontrunner for Buffalo — Brian Daboll, Davis Webb, and Klint Kubiak are also in the mix — and he's surely aware of that. So it's possible that he wants to either be their head coach or stay with the Jaguars and wait until a better opportunity arises. That would come with pros and cons, though.
If Udinski stays with the Jags, his stock could get a boost if their offense picks up where it left off. But if Jacksonville struggles, he may not be a candidate for many openings next year. Regardless, it looks like he's betting on himself. And can't you blame him?
Udinski only began coaching in the NFL six years ago, and he became an offensive coordinator at just 29. At his age, it doesn't matter if he doesn't get a head-coaching job, as he should have no trouble rising through the ranks.
Now, the Jaguars only have to worry about Grant Udinski leaving for the Buffalo Bills. If he doesn't get the job, he'll stay at least one more season in Jacksonville.