Brentson

Buckner

Buckner, 50, is a former second-round pick who enjoyed a 12-year career as a player before jumping into coaching. He’s served two separate stints as the Cardinals’ DL coach sandwiched around one-year stays with the Bucs and Raiders. New Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is putting together a staff full of former players.

He sat out practice Wednesday, but should be ready to go.

Buckner was let go by the Raiders last month, but his NFL experience was enough to get him another job quickly. A former 12-year NFL player, Buckner has since been a positional coach since 2013. He’ll be working with one of the least talented defenses in the league in Arizona.

The 12-year NFL vet lasted only one season in the Bay. Per NFL Media’s Jim Trotter, the Raiders are expected to replace Buckner with former Cowboys DC Rod Marinelli, who previously served as Jon Gruden’s D line coach in Tampa Bay. A position coach in the league since 2013, the 48-year-old Buckner shouldn’t be out of work for long.

Buckner coached the Bucs’ defensive line last season after four years in Arizona under Bruce Arians, so it’s kind of surprising Buckner wasn’t retained in Tampa Bay with Arians taking that job. New Bucs DC Todd Bowles brought in Kacy Rodgers as his DL coach. Buckner will work under DC Paul Guenther.

New York also met with Grady Jackson, the former Packer. New York is hurting for tackle depth.

Carolina needs him to shore up their rush defense. He should play this weekend.

Our favorite contestant in the “Big Man’s Dance Challenge” has struggled this season with the rest of the Panthers rush defense.

Buckner is headed for a career in TV if he leaves, probably with the NFL Network. Both can still play, though, and may come back.

The NFL Network and Visa commercial star had a fine season, with 55 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2004. The Panthers D-line will have tons of depth next year.