When it comes to top head coaching candidate, Ben Johnson, not to be forgotten about in the coaching carousel are the Jacksonville Jaguars.
NFL insider Josina Anderson believes that the Jaguars are a good fit for Johnson and what he is looking for in a head coaching job. Ian Rapoport recently reported that the Jaguars are still in the mix when it comes to landing Johnson.
Now, a senior NFL executive weighed in on why folks shouldn’t be surprised that Johnson has interest in the Jaguars job.
In an exclusive interview with Jaguars on Sports Illustrated, the NFL exec told John Shipley, “I don’t understand why people are acting like it’s news that Ben Johnson would be interested in the Jacksonville Jaguars job.”
The NFL executive would go on to mention the “highly undervalued” Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan, a new stadium coming down the road, and a “terrific young quarterback,” all as things working in Jacksonville’s favor.
Admittedly, the GM is the “issue,” as the NFL executive would put it, but added that Khan “made it clear that (Trent Baalke) is not an issue.”
A recent report from SI’s Albert Breer echoed similar sentiments, where Breer stated that there is “flexibility” when it comes to the Jaguars’ GM role for the right head coaching candidate.
With the Lions’ eliminated from the playoffs, the Jaguars head coaching search should start to heat up now that Johnson is available to interview in person.
Johnson, or whoever takes over as the Jaguars’ next head coach, will be joining a team with several foundational players already on the roster in Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas, and Josh Hines-Allen, along with a team that has 10 draft picks and salary cap space to work with this offseason.
