Sources – OC Liam Coen to stay with Buccaneers with new contract

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen is withdrawing from the Jaguars head coaching race to remain in Tampa under a new contract that will now place him among the highest-paid coordinators in the NFL, reports said. sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

Coen, 39, was one of three candidates scheduled for a second interview with the Jaguars. Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are the others.

Coen was scheduled to have an in-person meeting Wednesday with Jaguars owner Shad Khan, general manager Trent Baalke and others.

Jacksonville could still bring in Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, all of whom interviewed for the Jaguars job. Under NFL rules, the earliest they will be able to interview again is next week because their teams are in conference title games.

The Jaguars are looking for a new head coach after firing Doug Pederson following a 4-13 season. Khan insisted after firing Pederson earlier this month that he didn’t believe Baalke’s retention as general manager would affect the coaching search.

The Buccaneers finished third in total offense in the NFL and were fourth in points scored this season in Coen’s first year as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield had his best career season under Coen with career highs in passing yards (4,500), touchdown passes (41) and completion percentage (71.4%).

Had Coen left for a head coaching job, the Buccaneers would have faced the prospect of replacing their offensive coordinator for the second straight season. Dave Canales left the team after the 2023 season to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.