The Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff is currently taking a much-needed break after what was a rough season for the team. However, when the team comes back on Jan. 12, coach Doug Marrone will be making evaluations and many have speculated he could part ways from defensive coordinator Todd Wash as his unit has been viewed as a weakness for the team overall.
“I think [looking over the staff] is something that is going to go back and be evaluated,” Marrone said last Tuesday. “Obviously, my focus and concentration at the end [of the 2019 season] was to get our players in better position to perform. I think I’m going to go back through the same process of looking through the staff and seeing what we can do.”
With Marrone nearly losing his job this past season, it’s hard to imagine Wash sticking around after Marrone makes his evaluations. While there have been several injuries within the defense, Wash also hasn’t evolved much as a coordinator and uses most of the same concepts he did upon being named defensive coordinator back in 2016. That said, with Tom Coughlin out of the picture, Marrone will be 100% deciding on who would replace Wash if fired.
If the Jags are looking for someone who has done it all, they should look no further than veteran coordinator Wade Phillips, who was relieved of his defensive coordinator job with the Los Angeles Rams Monday.
Phillips is a well-respected coordinator who would bring 40 years worth of coaching experience into the staff. He’s been to various destinations in the NFL as a defensive coordinator and a head coach, winning various playoff games and even a Super Bowl title while coordinating with the Denver Broncos in 2015.
In all probability, it wouldn’t be easy for the Jags to draw Phillips into a lame-duck coaching situation, but if they could, some pieces are in place for the Jags to have success under his 3-4 scheme. They have players like Calais Campbell (if retained), Taven Bryan and Abry Jones who could be their defensive ends and nose tackle, respectively. Most importantly, they also have two linebackers with pass-rushing abilities in Yannick Ngakoue and Josh Allen, which could be an enticing draw for Phillips.
As for the remainder of the Jags’ needs, they have plenty of draft picks to fix some holes in April if needed. They could also add some much-needed depth to the roster, too, with several picks in the late rounds.
With a coach of Phillip’s magnitude, teams may be lined up for his services. That said, the Jags may have to offer him more than others to even consider the job like perhaps an assistant head coach title.
