Arizona Cardinals’ Adrian Wilson being linked to Jaguars’ GM job
Jan 27, 2022, 11:32 AM | Updated: Feb 27, 2023, 6:02 pm
Adrian Wilson before the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals vice president of pro scouting Adrian Wilson is being targeted by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their next general manager, according to First Coast News’ Chris Porter and Cardinals digital content correspondent Mike Jurecki.
Both Porter and Jurecki added that current Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is the Jaguars’ target for their next head coach.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that the New Orleans Saints requested to interview Leftwich for their newly open head coaching job following Sean Payton stepping down on Wednesday.
The NFL insider added former Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio was also a target for Jacksonville’s head coaching vacancy. Fangio and current Jacksonville GM Trent Baalke worked together for four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
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According to Pro Football Talk, Leftwich gave Jaguars owner Shad Khan an ultimatum that if he was going to become the team’s next HC, then Wilson would have to replace Baalke.
PFT added that “multiple candidates refused to even interview” for the Jags head coaching job if Baalke was going to remain as GM.
Porter, sports director for First Coast News in Jacksonville, also reported Leftwich’s desire to work with Wilson.
The head coaching vacancy was created after the firing of former Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer following the tumultuous season he had in his first year at the helm of an NFL franchise.
Wilson, who played 12 seasons with the Cardinals from 2001-12, was promoted to his new position in February after spending the last two years as Arizona’s director of pro scouting.
This isn’t the first time the Cardinals vice president of pro scouting has been brought up in offseason hiring talks, having interviewed for the New York Giants’ open GM job that has since been filled by Joe Schoen.
The former Cardinals safety hauled in 27 interceptions across 12 seasons with the club, earning three NFL All-Pro selections during his playing career.
Leftwich served as the Cardinals quarterbacks coach in 2017 under former Cardinals and current Bucs HC Bruce Arians.
He also continued his role as QB coach in addition to being interim OC in 2018 under former Arizona head coach Steve Wilks.
