The Jacksonville Jaguars are in a transformative phase following the departure of former General Manager Trent Baalke on January 22. With the hunt for a new GM underway, the team has initiated virtual interviews with ten external candidates, including notable figures such as Josh Williams, the 49ers' Director of Scouting/Football Operations, and Terrance Gray, the Bills' Director of Player Personnel. Meanwhile, head coaching candidate Liam Coen withdrew from consideration, opting to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As part of their restructuring efforts, the Jaguars have also brought in Hall of Famer Tony Boselli as Executive Vice President of Football Operations and appointed Anthony Campanile as the new Defensive Coordinator.
In addition to front-office changes, the Jaguars face critical decisions regarding their player roster and financial commitments. Quarterbacks Mac Jones and C.J. Beathard are set to enter free agency, presenting an opportunity for potential salary cap relief. The team could save a combined $17 million by releasing both players. This financial flexibility is crucial as the team grapples with significant salaries owed to tight end Evan Engram and receiver Christian Kirk in 2025.
Defensively, Campanile aims to address the team's turnover issues after they forced a league-low nine turnovers in 2024. Despite having a defense largely composed of the same starters that previously forced 27 turnovers in consecutive seasons, the Jaguars struggled significantly last year. Campanile emphasized the importance of technique and philosophy in improving this aspect of their game.
"Does he carry the ball on his inside arm, near the sideline? Is he a guy that switches the ball on traffic? Is the ball off his body? Is he an elbow-out runner? Those are the guys that you want to target, and you want to target them in specific ways," said Campanile.
To bolster their defense, the Jaguars signed Darnell Savage last season with plans to utilize him primarily at nickel. Campanile believes that a disciplined approach, focusing on tackling and takeaways, will be pivotal in revamping their defensive strategy.
"We've talked about this as a defensive staff. I don't want any drills that don't end without a tackle or a takeaway or an attempt at a takeaway because every play is going to end that way," he explained.
The Jaguars' offensive roster also saw notable performances from emerging talents like Parker Washington. As a second-round pick in 2023, Washington showcased his skills by finishing third on the team with 40 catches and second with 411 yards last season. His development will be essential as the team looks to enhance their offensive prowess.
As the search for a new General Manager progresses, the Jaguars plan to narrow down their candidate pool to no more than five finalists for in-person interviews. This approach underscores their commitment to selecting a leader who aligns with their vision for future success.
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