Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron watches from the sidelines against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Jaguars add Shane Waldron to staff

The Jacksonville Jaguars are adding former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to their coaching staff, multiple media outlets reported Thursday.

Per ESPN, Waldron likely will serve as pass-game coordinator in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars hired Grant Udinski to be head coach Liam Coen’s offensive coordinator on Wednesday night.

Jacksonville moved on from its 2024 offensive coordinator, Press Taylor, after it finished 25th in total offense (306.2 yards per game) and 26th in scoring (18.2 points per game).

Waldron, 45, coached with the Los Angeles Rams from 2017-20, working with tight ends during his first season before serving as a passing game coordinator. He coached on the same staff as Coen from 2018-20.

Waldron spent 2021-23 as the offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Bears prior to the 2024 season.

–Field Level Media

Jun 11, 2024; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebackers and running game coordinator Anthony Campanile runs during minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-Imagn Images

Jaguars hire Anthony Campanile as defensive coordinator

The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Anthony Campanile as defensive coordinator.

“Anthony Campanile represents exactly what we want to be as a defensive unit and football team,” head coach Liam Coen said in a statement issued Thursday. “He brings an aggressive defensive mindset and a system that is adaptable to our players and allows them to play fast and physical.”

Most recently, Campanile served as the linebackers coach/run game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers in 2024.

Campanile, 42, previously was the linebackers coach (2020-23) of the Miami Dolphins.

He began his coaching career as an assistant coach in the high school ranks at New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep before moving on to positions on the staffs at Rutgers, Boston College and Michigan.

His only season leading a defense came in 2018 at Boston College, where he was co-defensive coordinator.

The Jaguars hired Coen earlier this month to replace Doug Pederson as head coach. Previously the offensive coordinator at Tampa Bay, he made an awkward exit from the Buccaneers, who reportedly were set to make him the highest-paid OC in the NFL before he spurned them to move north.

Per reports, the Bucs aren’t going to make it easy for Coen to fill out his staff.

ESPN reported Friday morning that the Buccaneers won’t agree to Jacksonville’s request to interview assistant offensive line coach Brian Picucci for a potential role on Coen’s staff. The Tampa Bay Times added that the Buccaneers also declined the Jaguars request to talk with offensive line coach Kevin Carberry.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with offensive coordinator Liam Coen against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Jaguars announce hiring of Liam Coen as head coach

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with Liam Coen as their new head coach on Friday, two days after he reportedly withdrew his name from consideration for the job.

Coen initially was set to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a new contract that reportedly would make him one of the league’s highest-paid coordinators.

The Jaguars parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke on Wednesday, and several hours later, Coen left his job as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator to take the top post in Jacksonville.

“To repeat my message earlier this week, I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said. “I also believe in being judged by actions, not words. That’s why I took swift and decisive action this week to hire Liam Coen as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I am pumped that Liam is accepting the challenge and opportunity to build the winner that Jaguars fans and partners fully deserve. I know our players feel the same.”

Coen, 39, will take the post previously held by Doug Pederson, who was fired on Jan. 6 following a 4-13 season. The Jaguars finished 22-29 in three seasons under Pederson, reaching the playoffs just once, when they went 1-1 following the 2022 campaign.

“Becoming the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars is an opportunity of a lifetime, and one that I am going to run with to instill a championship culture and winning tradition here in Duval,” Coen said. “This doesn’t happen without the support and opportunities that my family and I have been afforded throughout my career, especially during this past season in Tampa Bay. We thank (Bucs head coach) Todd Bowles for his continued support and the entire Buccaneers organization for the experience, and know they will have success ahead.

“Most of all, we are grateful to Shad Khan for his belief in what we will bring to the Jaguars. We will work tirelessly to reward his confidence. As head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, I will hire a first-class coaching staff, establish a distinctive and effective brand of football on both sides of the ball, and our players will live for the black and teal. Shad and Jaguars fans should expect nothing less, and that’s what we plan to deliver and more.”

Coen just finished his first season overseeing the Tampa Bay offense.

In Coen’s second stint as an NFL offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay averaged 29.5 points per game, fourth in the league in 2024. The Buccaneers ranked third in total offense with 399.5 yards per game, third at 250.4 passing yards and fourth at 149.2 rushing yards. They led the league by making 50.9 percent of their third-down attempts (110 of 216). Their total of 395 first downs was second in the league.

Leading that offense, Baker Mayfield set career highs with 41 touchdown passes, 4,500 passing yards and a 71.4 percent completion percentage under Coen’s watch.

Coen in recent years has bounced between the NFL and the University of Kentucky, where he was offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2021. He was the Los Angeles Rams’ OC in 2022, and he worked under head coach Sean McVay as the Rams’ assistant wide receivers coach (2018-19) and assistant quarterbacks coach (2020).

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) reacts to his first down pickup during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Jags WR Brian Thomas Jr. replaces Zay Flowers on Pro Bowl roster

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. received recognition for his strong rookie season on Thursday.

Thomas was named a finalist for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and also was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. He also was named to replace Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers on a Pro Bowl roster that also includes Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik and punter Logan Cooke.

Flowers withdrew from the exhibition event in Orlando due to a knee injury that prevented him from competing for his team in the playoffs.

Thomas, 22, recorded 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) since being selected by the Jaguars with the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In addition to Thomas, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, New York wide receiver Malik Nabers and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix were named as finalists for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke reacts during an NFL International Series game against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Trent Baalke out as Jaguars’ general manager

The Jacksonville Jaguars parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke on Wednesday.

“Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement released by the team.

“Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons. Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager and play an important role, with others, as we continue the process of interviewing candidates to serve as our new head coach. I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that happen for our players and fans alike.”

Baalke, 60, has been with the Jaguars since 2021. Under his watch, the team has posted a 25-43 record — including a 4-13 mark this season with the now-fired Doug Pederson as the head coach.

Multiple media outlets reported earlier on Wednesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen stepped out of consideration as a candidate to become head coach in Jacksonville.

Baalke also served as the vice president of player personnel and general manager of the San Francisco 49ers from 2010-16. The 49ers fell in Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens and went 57-54-1 during his time with the team.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during the game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

AFC South rivals Colts, Jaguars playing out string

The Indianapolis Colts have nothing to play for this week and the players know where to point — at themselves.

The Colts complete their fourth consecutive non-playoff season on Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle of AFC South squads.

The Jaguars (4-12) have long been eliminated from playoff contention in a truly disappointing campaign. Indianapolis (7-9) was in the mix until sustaining an embarrassing 45-33 road loss to the New York Giants last week.

Colts star linebacker Zaire Franklin, the NFL’s leading tackler with 165, made it clear that a team doesn’t lose a game like that if it is truly a playoff squad. The Giants, who were averaging a league-worst 14.3 points per game, more than tripled their average.

“It’s embarrassing. It’s disappointing. We got flat-out beat,” Franklin said. “The performance we put out defensively, just beyond unacceptable. You can’t play like that when you’re planning on being a playoff team. So we ain’t a playoff team.”

The Colts hope to have quarterback Anthony Richardson back on the field after he missed the game against New York due to severe back pain. Indianapolis didn’t rule Richardson out until Saturday but Richardson told reporters Wednesday that he could barely stand up or walk and had to crawl around the house on Dec. 24.

“I’ve been dealing with stuff like this since about eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe,” Richardson said. “It was definitely a little scary last week, not being able to move. But, like I said, I’m standing up now and I’m looking forward to playing this week if I can.”

Richardson was the only Indianapolis player listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s walkthrough.

The fourth overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft has struggled with his accuracy and completed just 47.7 percent of his passes with 12 interceptions. He also has thrown eight touchdowns, ran for six more and has a 6-5 record as a starter this season.

Richardson sat out with an oblique injury when the Colts lost 37-34 to the host Jaguars in Week 5. Joe Flacco started and passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns.

Star running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also missed the game. Taylor ranks seventh in the NFL with 1,254 rushing yards while playing in 13 games.

As for the Jaguars, they are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Jacksonville posted a 20-13 home victory over the Tennessee Titans last week.

Quarterback Mac Jones, who is 2-4 as a starter this season, again starts in place of Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder surgery). Jones said he plans to leave the field with a victory.

“You definitely want to put your best foot forward and control what you can control,” Jones said. “For me, just keep it simple this week. A lot of distractions, a lot of this and that. But the challenge for everybody and for me is to focus on doing my part and then from there, it should take care of itself.”

The contest could be the final game for Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. He is 22-28 with the team and went 9-8 in each of his first two seasons before the club fell on hard times this season with 10 losses in its first 12 games.

Jacksonville defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, who had three sacks against Tennessee, said the atmosphere is good around the team despite the underachieving season.

“We’re looking to finish this on a positive note,” Hines-Allen said. “We’re not playing for a playoff game, so there’s frustration there. But we want to make it 2-0 (to end the season). If we can do that going into next season, it’s a good starting point.”

Left tackle Walker Little (ankle) was the lone Jacksonville player to miss practice on Wednesday.

The Jaguars have won three straight and five of the past six meetings.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr (7) catches the ball against Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (29) in the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Swept by Jags, Titans alone in AFC South basement

Mac Jones threw two touchdown passes Sunday and the Jacksonville Jaguars earned a season sweep of the visiting Tennessee Titans with a 20-13 victory.

Jones connected on 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards, finding Parker Washington and rookie Bryan Thomas Jr. for scores, as Jacksonville (4-12) left Tennessee (3-13) behind in the AFC South cellar. Cam Little booted field goals of 48 and 44 yards.

Mason Rudolph hit 19 of 31 attempts for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Titans, which dropped their fifth consecutive game. Tyjae Spears rushed for 95 yards on 20 carries, playing in place of Tony Pollard (flu/ankle).

Jones’ 11-yard scoring strike to Thomas with 7:05 left in the game gave the Jaguars a 20-10 lead but Tennessee responded with Matthew Wright’s 28-yard field goal at the 2:02 mark.

After getting a three-and-out, the Titans had a chance to force overtime and reached the Jacksonville 26. But Rudolph’s fourth-down pass intended for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was knocked down at the goal line with nine seconds left.

The pregame storyline concerned which team could benefit most from a loss. Both entered a game behind the New York Giants for the potential No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

Jacksonville initiated scoring on the game’s opening drive, needing to drive only 38 yards on nine plays to set up Little for his first field goal at the 10:46 mark. The Jaguars got into the end zone for the first time with 8:59 left in the half on Jones’ 2-yard touchdown pass to Washington, coming five plays after Rudolph tossed a tipped-ball interception.

Little’s second field goal upped the margin to 13-0 with 2:02 remaining before Tennessee pieced together a two-minute drive that set up Wright for a 39-yard field goal as time expired, making it 13-3 at halftime.

The Titans started the second half with their best drive of the game, chewing up 85 yards and eight minutes before Rudolph hit Nick Vannett with an 8-yard strike to cut the margin to 13-10.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) draws back to pass during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Titans, Jaguars seek spark in battle of struggling AFC South teams

If the Tennessee Titans’ contest against the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday were a bowl game, some might term it the Tank Bowl.

In a matchup of 3-12 AFC South teams playing out the string of forgettable seasons, it could be argued that the loser will come out ahead in the long run. After all, that team would enhance its chances to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

But competitive instincts and human nature being the powerful forces they are, both teams will try for a win that will — at least for a week — give them a little better feeling about the season.

Don’t believe that? Just look at Tennessee’s decision to start backup quarterback Mason Rudolph again instead of going with second-year pro Will Levis. In theory, Levis and the team would be better served with him taking snaps, since he could still be a good NFL quarterback if and when he quits making big mistakes.

But first-year coach Brian Callahan is going with Rudolph, who threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis. Rudolph also threw three interceptions, adding to the team’s NFL-high total of 32 turnovers.

“He’s got the ability to avoid the negative play when it comes to sacks,” Callahan said of Rudolph. “He gets the ball out. He knows where to go with it quickly.”

The Titans’ offensive line has permitted 47 sacks this season — 40 with Levis at the helm. Levis also has thrown 12 interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Rudolph has thrown eight picks and lost a fumble.

When the teams met on Dec. 8 in Nashville, Jacksonville notched a 10-6 win, holding Tennessee to 272 total yards and limiting Levis to 168 yards passing. It’s the Jaguars’ only road win of the season.

Jacksonville is coming off a 19-14 loss last week in Las Vegas, another three-win team. The defeat moved Jacksonville up to the projected No. 3 overall pick, according to tankathon.com. That’s one spot ahead of the Titans.

But Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, whose team could be without six projected offensive starters from the season’s beginning for this game, isn’t hunting for alibis.

“It’s just a tough situation to be in, but at the same time, listen, I’m not going to make excuses for it,” he said. “We are who we are. … We haven’t been consistent enough in our play on the field.”

The exception to that rule has been rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who is closing the season with a bang. Thomas has 27 catches for 323 yards the last three weeks, including nine for 132 and a touchdown against Las Vegas. He owns franchise rookie records for receptions (73), yards (1,088) and touchdowns (nine).

With Thomas cooking, backup quarterback Mac Jones has played solid football lately. He completed 25 of 39 passes for 247 yards last week. He has completed 65.4 percent of his passes, his best mark since his rookie year with New England in 2021.

Jacksonville offensive tackle Walker Little (ankle), linebacker Ventrell Miller (ankle), safety Darnell Savage (concussion) and defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (illness) did not participate in practice on Wednesday.

For the Titans, wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot), kicker Nick Folk (abdomen), safety Amani Hooker (shoulder), offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (shoulder) and linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr. (wrist) and Otis Reese did not participate in Wednesday’s session.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA;Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) makes a catch against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders end 10-game skid by knocking off Jaguars

Brock Bowers caught 11 passes for 99 yards and Isaiah Pola-Mao forced two fumbles to lead the Raiders to a 19-15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in Las Vegas.

The Raiders ended a league-high 10 game losing streak with their first since beating the Cleveland Browns 20-16 on Sept. 29.

The game nearly flipped at the end of the third quarter, after Daniel Carlson’s third field goal attempt of the game went wide right. Three plays later, Mac Jones found an uncovered Brian Thomas Jr. for a 62-yard touchdown that put the Jaguars ahead 14-13 after the extra point.

The Raiders responded, as Aidan O’Connell pulled off an improbable escape from a collapsing pocket to complete a 12-yard pass to Ameer Abdullah on third-and-three. Three plays later, Abudallah pranced into the endzone for the go-ahead score to put the Raiders ahead 19-14. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.

Abdullah ran for 38 yards and a touchdown on seven carries as the Raiders ran for 69 yards as a team. They were without emerging back Sincere McCormick, who was placed on the IR this week with a season-ending ankle injury.

The Raiders’ were also without star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who also went on IR for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

The Raiders took a 13-7 lead after Carlson made 49- and 37-yard field goals on successive possessions. The Raiders’ first-half momentum continued on the Jaguars’ next possession, as Pola-Mao punched the ball out of Tank Bigsby’s arms for teammate Tre’von Moehrig to recover.

Pola-Mao forced his second fumble in the closing seconds of the first half, jarring the ball out of the arms of Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange. Thomas Harper made the recovery with nine seconds remaining.

Bigsby opened the scoring, breaking the plane with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter.

Las Vegas answered on its ensuing possession by capping a six-play, 70-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Alexander Mattison. The run was set up by a 29-yard completion from O’Connell to Tre Tucker two plays earlier, as Tucker maneuvered the sideline for a toe-tap catch.

O’Connell finished with 257 yards on 24-of-38 passing.

Thomas led the Jaguars with 132 yards on nine receptions, while Parker Washington tallied six receptions for 54 yards. Bigsby led Jacksonville with 50 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Mac Jones threw for 247 yards and a touchdown on 25-of-39 passing.

The Raiders outgained Jacksonville 314-308.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates with running back Braelon Allen (0) after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams lead Jets past Jaguars

Breece Hall ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:05 left as the visiting New York Jets rallied in the fourth quarter for a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Hall’s run capped a 70-yard drive that featured two critical connections between Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. The duo hooked up for third-down hits of 23 and 41 yards that got the ball just shy of the end zone, teeing up Hall’s winning score.

Rodgers finished 16-of-30 passing for 289 yards and three scores, finding Adams nine times in the second half for 198 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

It was just the second win in 11 games for the Jets (4-10).

Jacksonville had a chance to force overtime on its last possession but Mac Jones’ deep pass down the left side was intercepted by Sauce Gardner at the New York 13 with 37 seconds left, dropping the Jaguars to 3-11.

Jones completed 31 of 46 attempts for 294 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, hitting rookie Brian Thomas Jr. 10 times for 105 yards and two scores. Kicker Cam Little added four field goals, including a 43-yarder with 1:51 remaining that evened the score at 25.

Both teams ripped down the field for touchdowns on their first possessions. Jacksonville used the game’s first 6:23 on a 13-play, 70-yard drive that Jones finished with a 3-yard strike to Thomas.

New York answered back with a 70-yard march of its own that Rodgers capped by hitting Garrett Wilson for a 22-yard touchdown at the 5:01 mark. That would be it for the Jets’ offense until the third quarter.

The Jaguars controlled the rest of the half but couldn’t make their massive advantage in time of possession pay off in anything other than field goals. Little connected on 28- and 23-yard kicks in the final 2:41 of the half, putting them ahead 13-7 at intermission.

Jacksonville possessed the ball for 21:08 of the half, picking up a whopping 18 first downs.

Adams caught a 1-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, which Thomas answered with a 19-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth. The Jaguars led 22-17 when their two-point conversion attempt failed.

New York pushed back in front on a 71-yard strike from Rodgers to Adams and a two-point connection between the two.

–Field Level Media