Report: Rams' O'Connell emerges as key candidate for Jaguars job

Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell emerged as a key candidate to be the Jacksonville Jaguars' next head coach, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Jaguars reportedly hope to speak to O'Connell - who wasn't on their initial list of candidates - as soon as Monday if the Rams lose in Sunday's NFC title game.

Jacksonville lost two of its finalists in Nathaniel Hackett and Matt Eberflus to the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, respectively. Despite speculation that Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich was close to earning the Jaguars job this week, the club hasn't made a move for him.

Leftwich is still a candidate for the job, sources told Rapoport.

The Jaguars have competition for O'Connell, who is also a top candidate for the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans.

O'Connell, a former NFL quarterback, worked under Sean McVay for the last two seasons in Los Angeles. He spent the prior three seasons with the Washington Football Team, working as a quarterbacks coach from 2017-18 before being promoted to offensive coordinator.

McVay's coaching tree has expanded rapidly in his relatively short tenure in charge of the Rams and includes the likes of Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor, and Brandon Staley.