Former NFL coach a surprise candidate for Jaguars job, but Byron Leftwich the ‘favorite’ for now

While Byron Leftwich remains the favorite to assume the head coaching vacancy for the Jacksonville Jaguars, there’s a surprise candidate being considered. 

Even though Tom Brady’s future in Tampa Bay remains uncertain, Byron Leftwich is all but confirmed to head to Jacksonville to become the Jaguars new head coach.

At least, that’s the way it seemed according until Adam Schefter revealed that the Jaguars are still very much entrenched in the interview process.

There’s a candidate from Denver who is now throwing his hat into the ring for the Jacksonville job — and it’s possible he could get the job over Leftwich.

As Schefter notes, Fangio has a prior relationship with Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. That being said, Leftwich is still “the leader in the clubhouse in Jacksonville.”

Vic Fangio is being interviewed for the head coaching vacancy in Jacksonville

It seems that everyone is hearing back about head coaching jobs on Jan. 27, and perhaps the Jacksonville candidates will as well.

Matt Eberflus has been confirmed to Chicago, while Fangio is definitely out of Denver to make way for their new hire, Nathaniel Hackett.

Perhaps the Fangio-Baalke connection won’t matter after all: apparently the Jags are “close” to making official offers to Leftwich as coach and Adrian Wilson as GM.

The new GM is apparently a condition for Byron Leftwich before he accepts any head coaching offer.

Leftwich has a relationship with Wilson, who is currently the vice president of pro personnel for the Arizona Cardinals. Before Leftwich accepted his job in Tampa Bay, he was working with Wilson as the Cardinals quarterbacks coach and interim offensive coordinator.

If Leftwich and Wilson do land in Jacksonville, one can expect a deep shift in culture. Contrary to Urban Meyer, Leftwich has proven himself to be a player-friendly coach, especially as a former NFL player himself.