JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — While they still do not know who their next head coach will be, the Jacksonville Jaguars have at least made clear there will be a change at defensive coordinator.
ESPN's Field Yates reported late Wednesday evening that the team and first-year defensive coordinator Joe Cullen had parted ways. Cullen was among the staffers from Urban Meyer's regime that remained under-contract and were still reporting to TIAA Bank Field until a new coach and subsequent staff were chosen.
Cullen is also considered a finalist to succeed newly-minted Chicago Bears head coach as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts.
In his first season ever as an NFL defensive coordinator, Cullen orchestrated some flashes of brilliance (a 9-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills; a dominant, season-finale win over the same Colts) and guided a rag-tag defense to modest success. The Jaguars' defense ranked 20th in total defense and finished in the Top-10 in passing defense.
Cullen had previously served as Jaguars' defensive line coach (2010-2012). Sandwiched in between his stints in Jacksonville were defensive line coach roles with the Browns (2013), the Buccaneers (2014-2015), and the Ravens (2016-2020).
