Todd

Wash

Wash will take over for the now-departed Ejiro Evero, who was dismissed shortly after the Panthers’ Week 8 loss to the Packers. Wash, who has been with the Panthers since 2023, spent five seasons as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator (2016 to 2020), with his defense finishing top five in both yards and points allowed in 2017 and 2018. Wash’s first task will be finding ways to improve a run defense that ranks among the worst in the league through the first half of the season, but given that his fingerprints are all over the defensive line, it’s hard to imagine a noticeable improvement is on the way over the final 10 weeks of the season.

Wash, 52, was the Jaguars’ DC the last five seasons but was ushered out with coach Doug Marrone’s staff. He spent eight seasons in Jacksonville where he was the previous DL coach prior to his promotion. He’s been coaching defensive linemen in the NFL since 2007 and will work under first-time Lions DC Aaron Glenn in Detroit.

The Jaguars’ defensive coaching staff has been working remotely following a positive COVID-19 test. This likely means Wash was the one who tested positive and won’t be cleared to return for Week 12. With Wash out, DB coach Joe Danna will call plays against Cleveland this week.

Contract tracing is underway. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, it is “not yet clear how it may impact who’s available.” The Jags play the Browns on Sunday. Stay tuned.

“It’s funny: everybody says we’re going to a 3-4,” Wash said. “You will see some different fronts, but we want to still continue to give teams a lot of multiple looks. Most importantly, we want to put the players on our roster in a position to be successful in any scheme that they fit.” There’s been some speculation this unit will move from a 4-3 defensive scheme to a 3-4 this upcoming year, but Wash clearly isn’t having it. The organization added rookies C.J. Henderson and DE K’Lavon Chaisson, not to mention free agents Aaron Lynch and Cassius Marsh, but will move forward with the same defensive front it’s leaned on the past two seasons.

It is a bit of a surprise considering Wash had been with former coach Gus Bradley for several years, but the Jaguars are clearly favoring continuity. Promoted to coordinator this time last year, Wash’s unit finished sixth in total defense and surrendered the fifth-fewest passing yards and touchdowns in the league. While Jags fans might not be thrilled Wash is returning, his defense was not the issue this season.

The Jaguars interviewed Jim Schwartz for the position, but he landed in Philadelphia. With Schwartz out of the picture, coach Gus Bradley will likely take on a bigger role on defense, allowing Jacksonville to hire an inexperienced coordinator. Wash, Falcons DBs coach Marquand Manuel and ex-Dolphins interim DC Lou Anarumo all fit the bill. The Jags are expected to make their decision by this weekend.

The Jags struck out on all their veteran candidates, leaving them to hire from within. Promoting Wash is a sure sign coach Gus Bradley is planning to take on a bigger role in defensive play-calling as he prepares for a make-or-break season. Wash has coached alongside Bradley for over a decade.