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Now that the Jets have conducted two follow-up in-person interviews with the best head coaching candidates, you might be asking yourself a big question: What’s the problem here?
On Wednesday, the Jets met with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
The two had previously been interviewed via video chat. Both are in-demand candidates. There are seven NFL head coaching openings. (And there haven’t been any hires made so far in this head coach recruiting cycle.)
All teams in need of coaching, except the Texans, continued Saleh. All seven sued Smith. This week, Smith does a first interview with the Eagles and a follow-up with the Falcons, Jets and Lions. Saleh and Smith can be hired immediately, as neither is in the playoffs.
Here’s where the Jaguars and Urban Meyer come in, as likely roadblocks in this process – for the Jets and other teams in need of coaching.
Meyer is clearly the Jaguars’ first choice to be their next head coach and to mold quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the alleged first choice in this year’s draft. Meyer is always thinking about what he wants to do – take the job or stay out of coaching. If he says yes, it’s a post off the board, and the rest can be filled. But if he says no, a desirable job is suddenly available.
So why would a hot candidate like Saleh or Smith jump at the chance to take a less desirable job like the Jets when he could wait until the Meyer situation is over and see if the Jaguars are open?
The Jaguars not only have the top pick this year – it would be a shock if they didn’t take Lawrence – but they also have a salary cap of $ 73.2 million, according to the overhecap.com projection. The Jaguars aren’t in great shape – which is the case with almost every team looking for a new head coach – but they have a clear path to success.
A new coach would also start fresh with a general manager in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars fired coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell. There’s a lot for Saleh and Smith to love Jacksonville, if Meyer stays in retirement.
Once Meyer makes his decision – and the Jets must hope he takes the Jaguars job – things could move quickly with more openings.
UPDATE (8:35 am): ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports “Jacksonville and former Ohio St. HC Urban Meyer are in advanced talks to see if they can finalize a deal, according to league sources.” They met again on Wednesday. Right now, it’s Jacksonville as the one and only Urban Meyer. Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s process has led him to Meyer, and Meyer is very interested, and both sides are interested in trying to finalize a deal this week.
UPDATE (10:26 am): ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that according to a source, “Urban Meyer and (the) Jaguars are in the process of making a deal today. Meyer will be Jacksonville’s next coach.
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Darryl Slater can be reached at [email protected]. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
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