Jaguars DC Ryan Nielsen described what his defensive unit will be about in 2024

In 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars ended their season abruptly. They went into Week 18 thinking they were in the playoffs if they won. Then, they lost and were immediately done with football until the next season. The reason their season ended was a culmination of several things, though. One of the bigger issues was the way the defense played.

As soon as the season ended, the Jaguars started their offseason. Head coach Doug Pederson fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and most of the defensive staff, as many people saw coming. Many thought he would also fire Press Taylor, the offensive coordinator, but it makes sense that he didn't. If he fires Taylor, he is firing himself. It's his offense. Taylor is coordinating, and Pederson is calling the plays for the most part.

When letting Caldwell go, the Jaguars were forced to find a new defensive coordinator, and luckily for them, there was a guy available who did a stellar job last season. He wasn't available because he didn't do well, but the team he was on was hiring a new head coach. They ended up hiring Ryan Nielsen, the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons last season.

A lot of people didn't really know who Nielsen was, so it was only right he described what his defenses are known for and the idea he has for his defense in Jacksonville.

"We want to be attacking and aggressive in everything we do," Nielsen told the media. "How we fit the run, how we attack blocks, how we play in coverage, we want to be a forward, leaning, forward running, going forward defense. There’s some fundamental things, tackling, takeaways, ball disruption and pursuit. That’s what we’re going to be about: tackling, takeaways, ball disruption. You have to be a good tackling defense to be a good defense. 

"Takeaways are the number one way to limit points. Ball disruption is making the offense play not on time. We’re taking away a running lane or making a ball bounce or disrupting the quarterback. Then, pursuit, keeping the ball inside, proper angles, running and hitting. That’s what we’re going to be about, that’s what we’re going to stress."