Fans are excited about the idea of Byron Leftwich being the Jaguars’ next head coach.
The idea of a new head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars — maybe one with a familiar face — had Jaguars fans buzzing on Wednesday.
According to many unsubstantiated rumours, Buccaneers offensive coordinator and former Jaguars first-round selection Byron Leftwich will take over as head coach next season.
The Jaguars have yet to make an official statement, although according to some rumours, one might be made as soon as Wednesday.
However, one high-profile NFL source poured cold water on such claims on Wednesday morning.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jaguars are considering Leftwich and Colts DC Matt Eberflus, among others, but no agreement has been reached yet for either coach.
Jaguars continue talking with Bucs OC Byron Leftwich and Colts DC Matt Eberflus, amongst others, but are not close to a deal with anyone at this time, per sources. Jags still haven’t decided which way they’ll go. Organization still going through the process and figuring out.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26, 2022
NFL writer Rick Stroud, on the other hand, said that a contract with Leftwich is imminent. The Tampa Bay Times’ Stroud covers the Bucs.
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Meanwhile, Jaguars supporters are waiting to see who will be the team’s new head coach.
Following the Bucs’ season-ending defeat to the Rams, a group of “super fans” gathered outside the stadium on Wednesday amid the Leftwich rumblings, which began after the Bucs’ OC had a second in-person interview with the Jaguars on Tuesday in Tampa.
Hearing there are some items left to clear up contractually but both Byron Leftwich and Jacksonville are trying to finalize an agreement to make him the Jaguars next head coach.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 26, 2022
“Until we die, we’re Duval.” We are not going to quit. We’ll be there to support whomever is in charge of the team. For them, we’re going to fill the stands, David Mendenhall said.
Mendenhall and another Jaguars superfan, Danny Geoghagan, walked out at TIAA Bank Field with placards, flags, and tattoos to express their support for the team as they wait to find out who will be the new head coach. Regardless, they are hoping for a victorious new leader.
“We’re big fans.” “We support (owner Shad) Khan’s choices, and I know he’s out there seeking the best, and he’ll get it, and this is going to be a fantastic year for us,” Mendenhall said.
The Jaguars have yet to make an official announcement, but on Tuesday night, a Twitter frenzy erupted when one local Jags fan—known for “getting it right”—tweeted, “Byron Leftwich will be the new Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Byron Leftwich will be the next Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars
— Dilla (@E_Dilla) January 26, 2022
The tweet was rapidly picked up by major sports blogs and websites, which stated that it seemed to be genuine.
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Mendenhall and Geoghagan expressed their hope that the Leftwich rumours were accurate, but that they would support the team whatever.
Trevor Lawrence could benefit greatly from Leftwich’s coaching experience, according to Geoghagan. “Just a great guy,” he said. “His development with Brady and coaching Brady down in Tampa, what he could bring to Trevor Lawrence’s development, and what he could bring to us moving forward as a great offensive unit.”
Ryan “Hacker” Green, presenter of 1010XL radio, speaks with News4JAX.
“The main issue is that he’s never done it,” he added. “Can a man who’s never been a head coach live up to the expectation of effectively rebuilding a whole roster or organization in a circumstance like this?” he said. “I believe when you think of Byron Leftwich, you think of a guy who was a top 10 selection, a person who went 24 and 20, which is almost a 500 quarterback, and a guy who departed after just four years, which many consider to be a letdown as a top 10 choice.”
If Leftwich is offered the job, he will be returning to where his professional football career began. In 2003, the Jaguars selected Leftwich seventh overall in the draught, and he went on to start four seasons for the team. In Jacksonville, he threw for 9,042 yards, 51 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions.
In 2019, Leftwich became the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping the club win Super Bowl 55 in 2021.
If Leftwich is hired, he will be Jacksonville’s first full-time black head coach.
Some News4JAX insiders are more concerned about the front office, notably General Manager Trent Baalke, than about Leftwich being the coach.
“I sympathise with Byron. One insider said, “To have your first head coaching opportunity with the worst roster in the NFL and a GM known for being a coach killer.”
“Byron may be a terrific HC, but if they don’t replace that GM, it’s a poor situation for him,” another said. To win, you’ll need players. “
The Jaguars have yet to issue an official statement, but News4JAX is keeping an eye on social media for updates.
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source: news4jax
