Jaguars' Jim Bob Cooter Reportedly 'Remains a Strong Candidate' For Panthers

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't yet in the clear when it comes to retaining all of their 2022 staff.

The Jaguars had one sure departure in former wide receivers coach Chris Jackson, who left for a job with the Texas Longhorns and has since been replaced by Chad Hall. But one name that continues to come up when it comes to other jobs has been that of passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who spent 2022 as one of Doug Pederson's top offensive assistants.

According to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, Cooter is not only getting a look from the Indianapolis Colts and new head coach Shane Steichen "remains a strong candidate," for the offensive coordinator role with the Carolina Panthers and Frank Reich.

#Colts have requested #Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for offensive coordinator interview, per league sources, who emphasize he remains a strong candidate for #Panthers offensive coordinator vacancy @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 17, 2023

The Jaguars' offense was No. 10 in points per game, No. 6 in passing EPA/Play, No. 4 in passing success rate, and No. 6 in passing DVOA in 2022, while Trevor Lawrence also earned a nod as a Pro Bowl replacement for Patrick Mahomes.

Aside from getting looks by the Panthers and Colts, Cooter was also interviewed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their coordinator position. If Cooter does remain with the Jaguars in 2023, it may not be for long.

"Jim Bob as a pass game coordinator can assist the coordinator. He can assist -- it's just another way of looking at it without coaching a position, right," Pederson said in February when describing Cooter's role with the Jaguars' offense. "It's another way of breaking down defenses, help Press wherever he needs help. He can assist in the tight end room or the receiver room or wherever it might be, and then also help us with game planning."

"But look, the way I call plays, it's still a very collaborative approach. It's me and Press game day. We're sitting there talking and he's giving me ideas and suggestions, and I'm going to -- Press is probably going to take some stuff from Jim Bob Cooter, Mike McCoy, they're going to get together between series. That's how this whole thing works on game day. At the end of the day it's coming together and making the right call at the right time, and then of course just teaching our players."

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