Jacksonville is hiring Ryan Nielsen, a former defensive coordinator for the Falcons, for the position, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In 2023, Nielsen joined Atlanta, taking over for the retired Dean Pees. By the end, the Falcons allowed the fewest yards (No. 11) and fewest points (No. 18). But following a third straight 7–10 season, former head coach Arthur Smith was let go. The Falcons then gave staff assistants permission to speak with other teams.
The 44-year-old Nielsen previously served as a coach for New Orleans from 2017 to 2020. Prior to being elevated to assistant head coach and defensive line coach in 2021, he served as the defensive line coach for the first four seasons. In 2022, he was appointed defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator.
After Jacksonville’s 2023 campaign ended with the team ranking No. 17 in points allowed and No. 22 in yards allowed, the team fired previous defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell.
