Jaguars’ Mike Caldwell, staff reportedly fired

Per multiple reports, the Jaguars have fired second year DC Mike Caldwell and staff.

Per multiple reports, the Jacksonville Jaguars have relieved former second-year defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and the majority of his defensive staff of their duties.

Per the initial reports, the entire defensive staff was relieved. However, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, Houston, defensive quality control coach Patrick Reilly, is the sole defensive staffer being retained by the team.

While the pure numbers reflected minor overall improvements or regressions in the Jaguars’ defense, the team’s second-half collapse after the bye week reflected significant communication problems down the stretch.

After starting the season off hot defensively, there were legitimate conversations that Caldwell might be a hot potential head coach interview candidate around the Jaguars’ bye week. However, the team would lose five of their final six games, to go from 8-3 to 9-8. During this stretch the defense suffered consistent, nearly weekly busted coverages including surrendering 34 points to the Jake Browning-led Cincinnati Bengals, peaking in the season finale meltdown versus the Tennessee Titans where the team also struggled against the run. Surrendering 28 points to the Titans led by backup quarterback Ryan Tannehill would seem to have been the tipping point.

The Jaguars defense finished the season 22nd in total yards allowed, 26th in passing yards allowed, 9th in rushing yards allowed, and 17th in points allowed. The team will look to hire another leader of the defense in the coming weeks to months, which may potentially include a scheme switch.

This is the first/only front office or coaching update that has been reported to date.