Falcons, Panther’s block Jaguars’ DC interview requests

The Jacksonville Jaguars have asked to interview two talented young defensive coordinators to take Mike Caldwell’s job, according to reports from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Michael Rothstein. But the receiving team has turned down both requests.

Because Press Taylor was asked for an interview by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2023 offseason, the Jaguars were able to prohibit any lateral interviews because both defensive coordinators are still under contract with their respective teams. The Jaguars rejected the request because it was a lateral move for their offensive coordinator position.

With both the Panthers and Atlanta Falcons in a current hold pattern, while awaiting the hiring of a new head coach, neither team is eager to allow their up-and-coming defensive coordinators other opportunities before the incoming coach has an opportunity to first decide if they would prefer to keep them on staff.

Despite the Carolina Panthers’ severe offensive problems and a slew of injuries in their secondary during the season, Evero’s defense gave up the sixth-fewest yards per play and the fourth-fewest yards overall. In his first season, Nielsen’s Atlanta Falcons defense—which had a similarly poor offense—finished 11th in yards allowed, an improvement from their 27th-place performance in 2022.

Should the new coach already have a defensive coordinator in mind, the Jaguars might get another chance to interview one or both of them in the future, depending on how each team’s hiring process turns out.

Giving credit where credit is due, I think it’s good to see Trent Baalke and Doug Pederson pursuing talented, young players like Nielsen and Evero.

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