Report: Jacksonville Jaguars narrow in on next head coach, in talks with top assistant

After the Urban Meyer controversy, the Jacksonville Jaguars are under immense pressure to hit a home run with their head coaching hire. Evidently, they’re looking to the past as a sign of what to do for the future.

According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Jaguars are honing in on Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich as their next coach. Before becoming a coach, Leftwich was drafted No. 7 overall by the Jaguars in the 2003 NFL Draft.

“Sources: Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich in talks with Jaguars,” tweeted Wilson. “Expected to be hired as new head coach after lengthy second interview Tuesday.”

After a decade long playing career, the former Jaguars quarterback was brought into coaching by Bruce Arians. First, Leftwich was the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2017. Then, he took over as their interim offensive coordinator in 2018. Finally, Arians brought Leftwich to Tampa Bay with him in 2019 — he’s been the Buccaneers offensive coordinator ever since.

With the Buccaneers, Leftwich helped cultivate one of the best offenses in the NFL with quarterback Tom Brady. As rumors ran rampant, Brady heaped praise on the man in-charge of Tampa Bay’s offense.

“It’s just a matter of time for different guys — and different opportunities come up,” the superstar QB said, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “Byron has been amazing for me to work with. I know he’ll have a lot of opportunities.”

As you can see, the Seven-time Super Bowl champion holds Leftwich in high-regard. If the former Jaguars quarterback becomes their next coach like he’s expected to, the move will be lauded by critics and fans alike.

More on Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars

Byron Leftwich would see his career come full-circle if he’s hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Additionally, it looks like the best move for both sides at the moment.

After lighting up the field at Marshall, the Jaguars made the quarterback the No. 7 overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft. Leftwich became a beacon of hope, and a solid quarterback over four seasons with the Jaguars.

Starting 44 of 46 games for Jacksonville, Leftwich accumulated a 24-20 record. Moreover, he threw for 9,042 yards and 51 touchdowns over his time. After the Jaguars, Leftwich bounced around the league as a backup — mostly backing up Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh until he retired from the game.

Now, Byron Leftwich will bring it all home to the place it all started. It’s a storybook situation for both the quarterback, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.