Report: Falcons Block Jaguars From Interviewing Ryan Nielsen For DC Vacancy

The Jaguars have been blocked from speaking to yet another defensive coordinator candidate.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are still looking to speak to their next defensive coordinator.

According to ESPN's Michael Rothstein, the Atlanta Falcons blocked defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen from interviewing for the Jaguars' defensive coordinator position. The Jaguars were also blocked by the Carolina Panthers from interviewing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

According to a source, the Falcons blocked DC Ryan Nielsen from interviewing for the open Jaguars DC job.

Nielsen led a rejuvenation of Atlanta’s defense last season.

— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 11, 2024

Each team was able to block the Jaguars from interviewing their coordinators because they are technically still under contract, and NFL teams are permitted to block assistants from interviewing for lateral jobs. For example, the Jaguars blocked the Baltimore Ravens from interviewing Press Taylor for their offensive coordinator role last year.

Nielsen is likely set to be one of the hottest coordinator names on the market once the dust settles during the hiring cycle. Nielsen, 44, just finished his first year with the Falcons as defensive coordinator, with the Falcons finishing No. 18 in points allowed, No. 12 in EPA/Play, No. 5 in success rate, and No. 1 in rushing EPA/Play. 

Nielsen has been in the NFL since 2017, when the New Orleans Saints hired him from NC State. After four years as the Saints' defensive line coach, Nielsen was promoted to assistant head coach in 2021 and then co-defensive coordinator in 2022. Nielsen was also looked at by LSU as a defensive coordinator candidate in 2021.

The Jaguars are looking for a new defensive coordinator after firing former coordinator Mike Caldwell on Monday night. The Jaguars also fired seven other defensive assistants, leaving only three of Pederson's 11 defensive staff members left.