Mike

Caldwell

Caldwell was fired by the Jaguars at the end of the 2023 season. The Jags finished the season ranked 17th in points allowed. However, their defense took a step back in the second half of the season and they missed the playoffs despite an 8-3 start. Caldwell received multiple interviews for defensive coordinator jobs after being let go but will ultimately serve as a high-level position coach in Las Vegas. Should things go well for him with the Raiders, he could get another shot at a defensive coordinator gig down the road.

As Garafolo points out in his report, Caldwell and Bills HC Sean McDermott spent time together with the Eagles — once while Caldwell was a player and another time when both were coaches. Caldwell has also met with the Eagles and Raiders this offseason, with the Eagles interviewing him for two different roles — defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Caldwell let go by the Jaguars after the team failed to make the playoffs despite an 8-3 start. Jacksonville’s defense struggled after the bye week, allowing 23.9 points per game in their final nine games. With several teams interested in his services, we’ll see if Caldwell gets a chance to turn things around elsewhere in 2024.

According to Fowler, Caldwell will interview with the Raiders for a senior defensive staff position and could be elevated to defensive coordinator should current DC Patrick Graham land a head coaching position. His interview with the Eagles will be for the defensive coordinator role recently vacated by Sean Desai. Caldwell was fired from the Jaguars last week after spending two seasons as their defensive coordinator. Jacksonville’s secondary struggled throughout much of the season and also ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks. Caldwell could earn more interviews in the coming weeks as other teams begin to round out their coaching staffs.