In one of the wildest twists of the year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen has returned to Jacksonville to speak with the Jaguars about becoming their head coach, one day after removing himself from consideration. If Coen agrees to a deal, he will become one of the 10 highest-paid head coaches in the NFL.
Why Did Liam Coen Return To Jacksonville?
Plot twist: #Bucs OC Liam Coen has been speaking with the #Jaguars in person for their HC job, and he is a key candidate to be the coach in Jacksonville, per me and @TomPelissero.
Days after agreeing to a massive extension in Tampa, he may find a HC job he could not refuse. pic.twitter.com/2b1NWBWnwr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 23, 2025
Earlier this week, Coen was considered one of the top candidates for the Jaguars’ head coaching vacancies.
On Wednesday, Coen voluntarily removed himself from consideration for the Jags job. Instead of joining Jacksonville, Coen returned to Tampa on a new contract that would make him one of the highest-paid coordinators in the league.
Shortly after Coen pulled out of head coaching consideration, the Jaguars fired general manager Trent Baalke.
After firing Doug Pederson earlier this month, Jaguars owner Shad Khan retained Baalke. However, prospective head coaching candidates, including Ben Johnson, were not interested in coming to Jacksonville because of Baalke.
Once the Jaguars lost Coen, Khan changed course and parted ways with Baalke.
Trent Baalke is out as the Jaguars GM.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2025
With Baalke out, Coen began speaking with the Jaguars again, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Coen is now the frontrunner to land the Jacksonville job.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Buccaneers had no contact with Coen or his representation on Thursday, despite the team’s efforts to reach him.
On Thursday, Coen eventually reached out to Bucs head coach Todd Bowles to inform him about the Jacksonville interview.
The Bucs were reportedly going to make Coen the highest-paid OC in NFL history, per Albert Breer.
More detail on the Liam Coen situation—the Buccaneers offered a 3-year deal on Monday to make their OC the highest-paid coordinator in NFL history. It was contingent on him not taking the second interview with the Jags. Which is the reason for the secrecy on the Jax visit.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 24, 2025
Liam Coen Could Get ‘Ben Johnson’ Money
So what changed for Liam Coen? He got on the plane to Jacksonville after Jags' ownership called him directly and explained they will let him pick the general manager and would pay him "Ben Johnson" level money along with multiple years, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 24, 2025
If Coen agrees to a deal, he will be paid “Ben Johnson” money, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Johnson signed a multi-year contract to be the head coach of the Chicago Bears. The contract will reportedly pay him $13 million annually.
If Coen signs for $13 million annually, that puts him in the top 10 for highest-paid NFL coaches in the NFL.
In Coen’s first year as the offensive coordinator, the Bucs ranked third in total offense and fourth in points. Quarterback Baker Mayfield thrived in Coen’s system, recording career highs in passing yards (4,500), touchdown passes (41), and completion percentage (71.4%).
| Andy Reid | Kansas City Chiefs | $20 million |
| Sean Payton | Denver Broncos | $18 million |
| Mike Tomlin | Pittsburgh Steelers | $16 million |
| Jim Harbaugh | Los Angeles Chargers | $16 million |
| Sean McVay | Los Angeles Rams | $15 million |
| Kyle Shanahan | San Francisco 49ers | $14 million |
| Ben Johnson | Chicago Bears | $13 million |
| John Harbaugh | Baltimore Ravens | $12 million |
| Kevin O’Connell | Minnesota Vikings | $12 million |
