Report: Jaguars hiring Cardinals’ Brentson Buckner as next DL coach

The Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Brentson Buckner to the same position on Wednesday, reported Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson.

Wilson said on Tuesday that the Buckner and Phillip Daniels were under consideration for the vacancy.

Buckner is among the latest coaches added to Jacksonville’s ranks since the hiring of head coach Doug Pederson last Thursday. Pederson takes over for Urban Meyer, who was fired before last season concluded.

Buckner’s name had been linked to college coaching opportunities before he agreed inked a deal with the Jaguars.

The Auburn Tigers were reportedly pursuing Buckner back in January. He also reportedly turned down a job on the Clemson Tigers’ staff. Buckner is a Clemson alum.

While the Cardinals defensive line had a number of injuries in 2021, most notably to J.J. Watt and Jordan Phillips, the Cardinals saw improvement from the likes of Zach Allen in Year 3. Over 15 games played, Allen put up career highs in tackles (48), sacks (4.0) and QB hits (14). He also notched the first interception of his career against the Chicago Bears in Week 13, returning the pick for a score.

After working as an intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers for three seasons, Buckner was hired by the Cardinals back in 2013 under then-head coach Bruce Arians.

He spent five seasons working with Arizona’s defensive line before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the same capacity in 2018.

Buckner would spend just one season in Tampa Bay before signing on with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019.

He was let go after one season before re-joining the the Cardinals under head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Before his coaching career, Buckner played for the Steelers (1994-96), Cincinnati Bengals (1997), San Francisco 49ers (1998-2000) and Carolina Panthers (2001-05).

Follow @AZSports