Reports: Darrell Bevell expected to be next Jaguars offensive coordinator

As the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator search continues, one thing is for certain: Darrell Bevell won’t be returning to Detroit in 2021.

As first reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Bevell is closing in on the offensive coordinator job for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since Birkett’s report, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora have all said Bevell is expected to earn that job in Jacksonville alongside new head coach Urban Meyer.

Bevell made a quick impression in Detroit after taking a year off in 2018. He seemed to reignite Matthew Stafford’s career, allowing him to unleash the deep ball all over again. Although Stafford didn’t exactly shine as bright in 2020, Bevell again impressed by taking over as interim head coach for the final five games of the season. Though Detroit went 1-4 over those games, the team was noticeably more loose and energetic on gamedays. Additionally, once head coach Matt Patricia was gone, gunslinger Matthew Stafford returned.

Bevell will likely get the honor of working with the No. 1 pick in the draft in Jacksonville, be it Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence or someone else.

Meanwhile, the Lions already have four candidates to replace Bevell: Steelers WR coach Ike Hilliard, former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn, Bills quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey and Ravens quarterbacks coach James Urban.