Liam

Coen

Garafolo specifically links Kupp to the Jaguars, whose new head coach, Liam Coen, and general manager, James Gladstone, both spent time working with the Rams during Kupp’s tenure there. Multiple teams are undoubtedly pursuing Kupp though, and Garafolo indicated that a new deal could come this evening.

The Jaguars didn’t bring in Coen to delegate offensive play-calling to somebody else. The 39-year-old head coach got where he is today by dialing up explosive plays and coaching Baker Mayfield to the best offensive season of his career (4500-41-16), and was long expected to call the plays for Jacksonville once his hiring was announced. With ample weapons at his disposal and a quarterback in Trevor Lawerence, who has just four years under his belt, Coen should have plenty of plays to dial up this upcoming season.

Thursday’s worst kept secret is now (basically) official. FOX’s Jordan Schultz reports the Jags are “so impressed” with Coen the sides will now “collaborate on the team’s new GM as well.” If that seems insane, it was clear it would be the outcome after the Jags’ stunning Trent Baalke about-face and immediate resumption of talks with Coen. A wizard with Baker Mayfield in Tampa this season — though, let’s be real, Mayfield deserves a lot of the credit after getting back-to-back OCs head-coaching gigs — Coen is strangely no stranger to coaching intrigue, as he left the University of Kentucky for the Rams in 2022 only to return to UK in 2023. It was then off to Tampa where he picked up where Dave Canales left off, overseeing an even more explosive offense. Still only 39 years old, Coen fits the league’s current preferred mold of first-time head-coaching hires. Young, and an offensive play-caller. We’ll see about Coen’s leadership skills. The supposed skullduggery he engaged in with the Bucs this week is mildly concerning. Tasks 1, 2 and 3 for Coen in 2025 will be getting Trevor Lawrence’s career back on the right track.

This escalated quickly shortly after the firing of former general manager Trent Baalke. Schultz notes that barring something unexpected, the 39-year-old is expected to land the opportunity to turn Jacksonville around after their disastrous 2024 campaign. While short on experience, the Buccaneers offense was strong under Coen, and he’ll get to work with a healthy Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr. and a few other solid — if unspectacular — weapons on offense.

Well then. Just days after signing a contract extension to remain with the Buccaneers, the ousting of Jaguars GM Trent Baalke appears to have caught the attention of Coen. It’s hard to know for sure how much of an impact Baalke’s presence appears to have had on the Jaguars this coaching cycle, but Coen’s willingness to again entertain the job nearly 24 hours after Baalke’s dismissal speaks volumes. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Coen and Jacksonville “appears to be headed towards a deal.” Apparently already in town and speaking with owner Shad Khan, we’ll see how quickly a deal gets done between the two sides.

Earlier today, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen reportedly removed himself from the Jaguars’ head coaching candidate pool by verbally accepting a pay raise from his current team. Reports have since confirmed that Coen and the Buccaneers have not yet put pen to paper on the new deal. Roughly four hours later, the Jaguars fired general manager Trent Baalke, potentially signaling their willingness to commit to Coen as the organization’s future shot-caller. Total control makes for an attractive offer. Time will tell how this pans out.

It’s quite the turn of events, as Coen was widely expected to take the Jaguars head coaching job after Ben Johnson was signed by the Bears. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Coen’s new deal with Tampa will make him one of the NFL’s highest paid coordinators. Coen’s offense finished the 2024 season with the league’s fifth highest EPA per play and the third highest offensive success rate, trailing only Johnson’s Lions and the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens. Baker Mayfield thrived in Coen’s system, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud reports there “is no coach in waiting stipulation in his new contract similar to what the Patriots did with Jerod Mayo.” Coen remaining in Tampa is a big blow to Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville offense. Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh would seem to be the favorite to land the Jags head coaching job with Coen out of the picture.

The smoke has been strongest on Coen and Robert Saleh for the Jaguars since Ben Johnson signed on with the Bears. Coen has also been linked to the Raiders, but has not had an official interview with the club yet. The Jaguars would certainly boost Trevor Lawrence’s short-term outlook with Coen, a creative screen-designer who excelled with the Buccaneers last year as they finished seventh in offensive DVOA. The Jaguars are reportedly set to meet with Coen tomorrow.

Coen clearly made a good impression in his first interview with the Jaguars and will now have a chance to sit down with them in person. The 39-year-old offensive coordinator shined in his first season with the Buccaneers, as his offense finished in the top five in both points and yards per game, while Baker Mayfield turned in his best season as a pro (4500-41-16) in his seven years as a pro. Coen has at least two more finalists to compete with in Robert Saleh and current Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, but he could be exactly what Trevor Lawrence needs to turn things around after a disappointing 2024.

With minority owner Tom Brady reportedly having more influence in this process, it would have been stunning if Vrabel wasn’t on the Raiders radar. Coen caught eyes around the league for his innovative screen designs as the Buccaneers finished well above offensive expectations in his first year as offensive coordinator. Carroll has not, as far as we know, taken an interview yet but obviously has a very distinguished history as an NFL head coach. The hardest thing for the Raiders may be selling potential candidates on the current state of their roster.