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Things down in Jacksonville have taken a massive turn. Initially, the Jaguars team was set to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen for a second time.
Read more: Buccaneers OC Liam Coen Withdraws From Jaguars Head Coach Consideration
Coen chose instead to withdraw from consideration. Now, that withdrawal has been reversed. According to reports, Coen is back in the running for the job.
Plot twist: #Bucs OC Liam Coen has been speaking with the #Jaguars in person for their HC job, and he is a key candidate to be the coach in Jacksonville, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 23, 2025
Days after agreeing to a massive extension in Tampa, he may find a HC job he could not refuse. pic.twitter.com/2b1NWBWnwr
According to Ian Rapoport, "Plot twist: #Bucs OC Liam Coen has been speaking with the #Jaguars in person for their HC job, and he is a key candidate to be the coach in Jacksonville, per me andTomPelissero. Days after agreeing to a massive extension in Tampa, he may find an HC job he could not refuse."
Coen might be accepting the job due to the major change the Jaguars made. The organization parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke, after it was revealed he would be retained following the firing of Doug Pederson.
Many in the league believed that retaining Baalke would lead to the Jaguars having a tough time finding a head coach. With Baalke now out, it appears Coen is back to wanting the job.
As stated, many believed that Baalke being around was going to give the organization trouble in finding a new head coach.
Sources: Liam Coen was content with being the #Buccaneers OC, but the #Jaguars “reached out repeatedly with the idea that Coen would need to say no, not once, but twice.”
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 23, 2025
Without Trent Baalke, the job becomes very attractive. https://t.co/YjoqpdTSUG
According to Jordan Schultz, the Jaguars also reached out "repeatedly" to try and bring in Coen. Their efforts may lead to Coen taking over as head coach.
Interestingly, this comes after the news that Robert Saleh was also being considered for the job. Saleh most recently coached the New York Jets, before he was unceremoniously fired by the organization after Week 6.
Saleh would likely be the next candidate the Jaguars would pursue if Coen does not accept whatever new offer has been made.
Coen had also accepted a new deal with the Buccaneers to remain as the offensive coordinator but has reportedly been offered more money to be the Jaguars head coach.
Coen has been instrumental in guiding Baker Mayfield, who had the best season of his career in 2024. Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.
With Coen being a quarterback whisperer, it makes sense why the Jaguars are heavily pursuing him. The Bucs offensive coordinator would likely work wonders for Trevor Lawrence.
It's not that Lawrence has played terribly, but some more guidance can lead to the young signal-caller having a much better career.
The ball is now in the court of Coen, and it will be interesting to see if he takes the head coach position with the Jaguars.
More NFL:
Cowboys' Jerry Jones Had 'Informal' Talks With Pete Carroll About Head Coach Position
Texans Shockingly Fire Team President Greg Grissom: Report
For more on the Jaguars and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
About the writer
James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video ... Read more