Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson said it is “not time to start pointing fingers” following the Jaguars’ 24-20 collapse of a loss to the Texans and 0-4 start to the 2024 campaign.
However, if finger-pointing is bound to occur, Pederson suggested he is willing to take the heat — at least when it comes to Jacksonville’s coaching decisions.
“As coaches, we can’t go out there and make the plays, right?” Pederson said Sunday in response to a question regarding whether he would consider taking over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Press Taylor.
“It’s a two-way street, so you guys can sit here and point the finger all you want, and that’s fine. Point it right at me. I can take it, okay? I can take it. So, whatever you want to ask me, say, write, go ahead.”
Find everything Pederson said after the loss below.
On the Jaguars’ decision to go for it on 4th and 1:
DOUG PEDERSON: “It’s a moot point. It doesn’t matter now, so I’m not going to talk about it.”
On the absence of linebacker Devin Lloyd:
DOUG PEDERSON: “He just couldn’t make it.”
On Jacksonville’s performance in the second half:
DOUG PEDERSON: “We just made enough plays, got them off the field. Third downs were good for us, and they did a nice job there.”
On the Jaguars’ offensive performance against the Texans:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Could have been better. We missed some key plays in the game that probably could have turned the game differently, and we missed them. We’ve got to take a look at those and see where we can get better.”
On Pederson’s post-game message to the team:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Just tell them we’ve got to keep working, keep fighting. A lot of football ahead of us. It’s not time to start pointing fingers, just got to improve.”
On RB Travis Etienne Jr’s shoulder injury:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Fine.”
On the number of plays QB Trevor Lawrence missed on Sunday:
DOUG PEDERSON: “I’ve got to look at the tape. I couldn’t tell you offhand right now.”
On Jacksonville being so close to winning games:
DOUG PEDERSON: “We’re that close to flipping the switch, making more plays during the games. We’re not making them right now, and that’s what’s holding us back.”
On if Pederson is worried about his status as Jacksonville’s head coach after an 0-4 start:
DOUG PEDERSON: “My status? I mean, no. That’s kind of a strange question, but okay.”
On if Pederson did not think the Jaguars could score on a 1st and Goal and if he chose to spread the yards out:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, I mean, you know, credit them. They did a great job keeping us out of the end zone.”
On what Pederson saw in Lawrence’s performance against Houston:
DOUG PEDERSON: “I thought he played well enough. He missed, obviously there were some plays out there we missed that you’d love to have back. Played tough, thought he saw the field extremely well, but there’s some plays that he can make, and we have to make them next time.”
On if Pederson liked how the Jaguars started the game:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yes. Guys were in a good frame of mind, ready to go.”
On the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by WR Brian Thomas Jr:
DOUG PEDERSON: “I think it was just the action. It’s been flagged before this season, and you just got to be smarter. You can’t do that, especially after a big play.”
On if the Jaguars’ defense made adjustments at halftime or just played better:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Just played better. Got off the field on third down. It’s a great job.”
On what Pederson saw from LB Ventrell Miller today:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Played good. Obviously watch the film and grade it that way, but I thought there was some really big tackle for losses, him shooting the gap, appeared that he played good.”
On if DE Josh Hines-Allen has started the concussion protocol:
DOUG PEDERSON: “I’ll talk to Ferg (Jaguars vice president of player health and performance Jeff Ferguson), see what he says. But, I think so, yes.”
On if the mantra of “have fun, let loose” was too strong this week and affected the game:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yes. Guys were loose, guys were ready to play. They were enjoying themselves pre-game, locker room, during the game. The sideline was energetic. They were in a good frame of mind.”
On if Pederson will consider taking over offensive play-calling:
DOUG PEDERSON: “For what? I thought [Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor] called a great game. As coaches, we can’t go out there and make the plays, right? It’s a two-way street, so you guys can sit here and point the finger all you want, and that’s fine. Point it right at me. I can take it, okay? I can take it. So, whatever you want to ask me, say, write, go ahead.”
On if Pederson could provide a voice of confidence by taking over play-calling:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, sure, okay. I’ll take it into consideration.”