Examining the top Jacksonville Jaguars head coach candidates after the firing of Urban Meyer

The Jacksonville Jaguars have finally parted ways with head coach Urban Meyer after several months of questionable events under his control.

A look at Urban Meyer’s tenure as #Jaguars coach: pic.twitter.com/00smvdbWmd

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 16, 2021

Jaguars starting quarterback and 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence publicly stated that the “drama around the Jaguars needs to change.”

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Jacksonville can now turn the page and start a new era after the failed experiment under the once successful college football coach. Meyer headed the Jaguars for less than a calendar year. 

Beyond everything else, Urban Meyer had simply lost the team. He was disliked in the building. I was told after last week's loss that Meyer was “embarrassing himself” as an NFL head coach. He didn't handle the job like the league's 31 other head coaches.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) December 16, 2021

This roster needs a lot of work on the offensive side of the ball, but first things first: They need a new coach. Rumors are already swirling around who could be the next leader and hopeful savior of the Jaguars. And with the new league rules allowing teams to interview new head coach candidates during the final two weeks of the regular season, we will get a better idea of whom Jacksonville is interested in sooner rather than later. For now, here are the candidates to keep an eye on for the head coaching gig in Jacksonville.

Doug Pederson (former Philadelphia Eagles head coach)

After sitting out a year, Pederson could make his return to the NFL ranks to take over the Jags. Pederson spent three years as the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator before taking over as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach from 2016 through 2020, winning the Super Bowl in 2017.

Pederson’s offense has plenty of Andy Reid influences, and Lawrence is no stranger to run-pass options from his time at Clemson. Pederson would inflate that usage rate several percentage points. Jacksonville would also see a significantly higher rate of trips with a tight end isolated. Pederson could help put Lawrence into a position to succeed like he did for Carson Wentz and Nick Foles.

Eric Bieniemy (Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator)