Shortly after making Joe Cullen a first-time NFL defensive coordinator, the Jaguars are bringing in some experience to work with him. They are finalizing a deal to add Bob Sutton to their defensive staff, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets.
Sutton, 70, spent the past two seasons as a senior defensive assistant with the Falcons. He stands to serve in a similar capacity in Jacksonville, per JLC. Sutton has been in coaching since the early 1970s and on NFL staffs since 2000. He recently interviewed for the Packers’ defensive coordinator position.
Best known for his six-year stay as Chiefs defensive coordinator, Sutton spent his first 13 NFL seasons with the Jets. The Jets also employed Sutton as DC during Eric Mangini‘s tenure, from 2006-08, and Rex Ryan kept him on board as a position coach during his run as Gang Green’s HC. New Jags hire Brian Schottenheimer worked with Sutton in New York for several seasons.
Sutton’s first four Chiefs defenses ranked as top-10 scoring units, helping Andy Reid quickly turn the franchise around in the mid-2010s. However, the Chiefs saw their defense regress significantly as Sutton’s tenure waned. Their 2018 defense played the lead role in keeping MVP Patrick Mahomes from reaching the Super Bowl that season, with the Chiefs leading the league in total offense and ranking 31st in yards allowed.