Former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell, who was fired by the team earlier this month, is already receiving interest for the same position elsewhere.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Caldwell is set to interview with the Philadelphia Eagles for their vacant coordinator position after the Eagles fired Sean Desai from the position Sunday. Fowler also said Caldwell will speak with the Las Vegas Raiders about a senior defensive staff position.
Caldwell, 52, spent two seasons with the Jaguars, first joining the team a couple weeks after Doug Pederson was hired as head coach. Prior to that, he was a linebackers coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, and Philadelphia Eagles.
In Caldwell’s first season with the Jaguars, the team finished 12th in the NFL in points allowed, a massive improvement from its 28th place finish in 2021. However, the Jacksonville defense regressed in 2023, despite returning all 11 starters from the season prior. The Jaguars finished 17th in points allowed and especially struggled in the last six weeks of the season.
The list of other candidates for the Eagles reportedly includes Ron Rivera and Wink Martindale. Philadelphia also reached out to Ryan Nielsen about the position, but he is now set to take over for Caldwell in Jacksonville.