Jaguars preseason play-calling shifts to Grant Udinski

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski will handle play-calling for most of the team’s August preseason games, a decision head coach Liam Coen said is designed to broaden Udinski’s on-field leadership experience.

Coen confirmed the plan as part of a deliberate approach to staff development, with the preseason serving as a live environment where Udinski can manage offensive sequencing, situational decisions, and in-game adjustments from the primary play-caller’s seat.

Udinski’s expanded role for August games

Under the arrangement, Udinski will direct offensive play selection across most preseason contests in August. While the preseason does not carry regular-season standings weight, it still demands real-time decisions on tempo, personnel usage, and how to react when opponents change coverage or pressure looks.

Coen framed the move as experience-building that could matter if Udinski pursues head coaching opportunities in the future. The Jaguars’ plan effectively gives Udinski additional film and coaching tape that can be evaluated by decision-makers beyond Jacksonville.

Coen links the approach to his own mentoring

Coen said the strategy reflects a similar kind of developmental pathway he experienced earlier in his career. He pointed to mentorship he received from Sean McVay during their time with the Los Angeles Rams as an example of how responsibilities can be shared to accelerate coaching growth.

In that context, the Jaguars’ preseason setup functions as a controlled test: Udinski can call plays, manage the flow of a game, and demonstrate command of the offensive operation while still working within Coen’s broader structure.

Head coaching interviews and evaluation material

Udinski’s profile already includes recent interest from other organizations. He interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns during the most recent offseason, before agreeing to a contract extension with the Jaguars.

Officials indicated that having Udinski in charge of play-calling during preseason games adds another layer of evaluation material for league executives assessing whether a coordinator is ready to run an entire team. It also gives Jacksonville a clearer internal picture of how Udinski handles the most visible and time-sensitive part of offensive leadership.

The outlook for Udinski’s candidacy will also be tied to how the Jaguars’ offense performs in 2025 under his guidance, according to expectations described in the announcement. For now, the preseason assignment is positioned as an intentional step in a longer-term development track for a coordinator viewed as a potential future head coach.