According to Mike Garafolo, “Jacksonville Jaguars OC Grant Udinski is withdrawing from the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search on the heels of agreeing to a new deal with Jacksonville, source says. The Jags are allowing him to pursue the Bills’ job, though he will be back with Liam Coen & Co. if he doesn’t land in Buffalo.”
In an offseason where coaching changes have already reshaped multiple franchises, the Jaguars avoided a scenario that could have forced yet another reset around quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Why Udinski matters (even without play calling duties)
GettyJags QB Trevor Lawrence
It would be easy to undersell Grant Udinski’s value because he didn’t call plays in 2025. Head coach Liam Coen handled that responsibility. But Udinski’s influence was everywhere.
The Jacksonville Jaguars finished sixth in scoring, 11th in total offense, and 12th in passing yards… But what’s most important is that Udinski worked closely with Trevor Lawrence, who in turn took a clear step forward and produced the best season of his career with 29 passing touchdowns and 38 total touchdowns, leading the Jags to a 13-4 record.
And at just 30 years old, he has already become one of the hottest names in this coaching cycle after interviewing twice with Cleveland and emerging as a reported finalist. The Browns’ interest was real, and the threat of losing him was more than hypothetical.
Instead, Udinski chose to pull out of the Browns’ search after agreeing to a new contract with Jacksonville, one that includes a raise for the 2026 season if he doesn’t land the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job.
In a league where young offensive minds are routinely plucked away with little warning, this was a bullet the Jaguars very much needed to dodge.
The Bills still loom, but the worst is over
GettyJags QB Trevor Lawrence
Now the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t entirely in the clear. Grant Udinski remains a candidate for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job after interviewing Sunday, and until that position is filled, the Jaguars can’t fully exhale. Still, the situation is far different now.
Instead of monitoring multiple openings and bracing for an inevitable loss, Jacksonville is watching just one remaining domino. If Buffalo goes in another direction (as many league observers expect) the Jaguars will head into 2026 with their offensive brain trust intact.
Udinski withdrawing from Cleveland signals timing. Cause his rise has been quick… Panthers assistant in 2020, Vikings assistant under Kevin O’Connell in 2022, assistant quarterbacks coach in 2023, assistant OC in 2024, and full offensive coordinator in Jacksonville in 2025.
More head coaching interviews will come. If the Jaguars continue to win and the offense keeps producing, Udinski will almost certainly be a top candidate again in 2027.
This offseason was always going to be about building forward, not starting over. With questions looming about roster decisions, free agency priorities, and Lawrence’s long-term trajectory, the last thing the Jags needed was coaching chaos.
By retaining Udinski (at least for now) they avoided that chaos. The coaching carousel rarely offers clean victories. This one did.
Jaguars Dodge a Bullet in Coaching Carousel Chaos