Former Viking Re-Ups with Jaguars
Remember Heath Farwell from the Adrian Peterson era of Minnesota Vikings football?
Former Vikings LB Re-Ups with Jaguars
He’s back in Jacksonville, signing a contract extension this week as the Jaguars’ special teams coordinator, a job he’s held since 2022.
The Jaguars’ social media team tweeted Tuesday, “We have signed Special Teams Coordinator Heath Farwell to a contract extension.”
The move arrives after Jacksonville parted ways with head coach Doug Pederson this offseason, onboarding Liam Coen, formerly the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, for the top job. Coen will bring in most of his new staff, but Farwell will be a holdover.
Farwell played for the Vikings from 2005 to 2010 before venturing to the Seattle Seahawks. All told, he played 71 games in purple, banking 100 tackles on the nose and recovering 4 fumbles. Farwell thrived as a special teamer and even reached a Pro Bowl for his efforts in 2009 when Minnesota lost in the NFC Championship to the New Orleans Saints.
In Seattle, Farwell played three more seasons and retired after the 2013 campaign.
Here’s his resume as a coach following his retirement as a player:
— Seattle Seahawks (2016–2017)
Assistant special teams coach
— Carolina Panthers (2018)
Assistant special teams coach
— Buffalo Bills (2019–2021)
Special teams coordinator
— Jacksonville Jaguars (2022–present)
Special teams coordinator
Coen, the team’s new head coach, said about Farwell at his introductory press conference, “When I talk to him, there’s a shared message. There’s a shared vision for what you want it to look like and how you want to coach guys on the grass and in the building.”
Jaguars.com writer John Oehser noted on Farwell’s performance, “Punter Logan Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024, with Matiscik named in 2023 and wide receiver/returner Jamal Agnew named in 2022. Cooke and Matiscik earned second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors this past season, with Matiscik named first-team AP All-Pro in 2023. Rookie kicker Cam Little was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team this past season.”
The Jaguars ranked sixth per special teams DVOA in 2024, one of the few bright spots on an otherwise poor team — probably why Coen retained Farwell.
Jacksonville has also interviewed Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski for the open offensive coordinator gig and defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator.
Farwell turned 43 last month and played college football at San Diego State, the alma mater of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.