Josh Allen of the Jaguars Receives a Scouting Report on Ryan Nielsen from Jessie Bates

The Jacksonville Jaguars will soon be extremely happy with new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, if Jessie Bates is any guide. After playing for Nielsen in Atlanta in 2023, Bates recently had what was maybe the best year of his career. Additionally, Bates was able to provide Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen with the whole scouting report on Allen’s new coordinator this past weekend in Orlando.

“It’s a good idea to ask around. Naturally, you have Jessie who was his understudy; you know, he’s a guy I looked up to,” Allen remarked. “He gave me a brief overview of what to expect. However, it appeared that players enjoyed playing for him, and if they adhered to him, players would eventually become the best.the manner in which, you know, I believe there would be a significant difference in Jacksonville.”

After a disappointing 9-8 season, the Jaguars are looking for a fresh perspective on the defensive side of the ball. Nielsen will now be asked with improving the front seven’s consistency, as well as tackling issues that plagued the Jaguars throughout the course of the 2023 season.

After the Falcons ended No. 18 in points allowed, No. 12 in EPA/Play, No. 5 in success rate, and No. 1 in rushing EPA/Play, 44-year-old Nielsen concluded his debut season in that role.

Since the New Orleans Saints recruited Nielsen out of NC State in 2017, he has been a member of the NFL. Nielsen served as the defensive line coach for the Saints for four years before being elevated to associate head coach in 2021 and co-defensive coordinator in 2022. In 2021, Nielsen was again considered by LSU as a potential defensive coordinator.

“Well, there will be a change conceptually. It won’t always have an impact on the kind of employees we seek. The Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke stated following Nielsen’s hiring last month, “What’s neat is the preparation that Ryan had put in to get ready for the interview, knowing our roster the way he did, talking through how he sees those pieces being utilized in his defense.”

“That was quite remarkable, particularly for a man whose family was vacationing at Disneyland when we pulled him up here.” Simply said, everything about him—his demeanor, his command of the space, his rapport with the group present, his attention to detail, the reciprocal relationships he’s built, and the fact that everyone you speak with has nothing but good things to say about him—was impressive. Everything you heard comes to life when you bring him in. I’m eager to work with him and am incredibly excited about the hire.