Report: Jaguars Set to Hire Former Falcons Assistant Ryan Nielsen as DC

The Jaguars have their new defensive coordinator in Ryan Nielsen.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have their new defensive coordinator. 

According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jaguars' two-week search for a new coordinator has ended with Ryan Nielsen as the chosen candidate. 

Nielsen, who just spent his first year as defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, was one of the Jaguars' early targets before the Falcons blocked their interview request. Last week, the Falcons lifted the restriction, ultimately leading to Nielsen becoming Doug Pederson's new defensive coordinator.

Jaguars are set to hire former Falcons’ defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2024

After a disappointing 9-8 season, the Jaguars are looking for a fresh perspective on the defensive side of the ball. Nielsen will now be asked with improving the front seven's consistency, as well as tackling issues that plagued the Jaguars throughout the course of the 2023 season.

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 two weeks ago. The Jaguars also fired seven other defensive assistants, leaving only three of Pederson's 11 defensive staff members left.