Former Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson fired as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars | @EdEastonJr
The NFL had its annual ‘Black Monday’ with multiple coaches, coordinators, and general managers losing their jobs after the regular season. One of the names let go by their franchise was former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville dismissed Pederson on Monday after three seasons and a 4-13 record this season. Throughout the year, he was plagued by injuries to star quarterback Trevor Lawrence and others, and he suffered his lone losing season with the franchise in 2024.
Pederson was a former NFL quarterback, notably with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles under Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. He transitioned into coaching, serving under Reid in Philadelphia as a quality control and quarterbacks coach. He spent 2013 to 2015 in Kansas City and spoke highly of Reid’s influence during a conversation with Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. before the start of this season.
“I’ve learned so much as a player from him when he coached me and Brett Favre in Green Bay, which are still some of the things that I use as a head coach now in Jacksonville…” said Pederson. “Watching how he comes to work every single day and his attention to detail and his focus and drive, and how he leads his football teams.”
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nuZomwIaSaE
Pederson was a Super Bowl champion from his time as head coach of the Eagles and could potentially be a candidate to return to work with Reid again if he doesn’t land another head coaching job soon.
Column: Khan muddied the waters of Jaguars’ ‘collaborative effort’
In the eyes of Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Jacksonville’s dramatic fall from grace — from winning the AFC South and one of the most thrilling playoff games in NFL history two years ago to 5-18 in their last 23 contests — is the fault of the team’s coaching.
Explaining his decision to fire Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson to reporters on Monday, Khan expressed his belief in the team’s need for new leadership and schematics, and in the same breath, his faith that its front office is functional.
At the forefront of that roster-building ensemble is general manager Trent Baalke, whom Khan retained Monday to help hire a third head coach since Baalke inherited his position in Jan. 2021.
The Jaguars have gone 25-43 since then.
Sep 25, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke (right) and owner Shad Khan aka Shahid Khan during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“We have a lot of things that are working, that can always be improved and will improve, and there are other things that are not working that need to be fixed,” Khan said.
“So, the coaching, that is an area that we need to fix now. But certainly, over the last few years, we built a football administration and a lot of things are working well there.”
Khan is no stranger to projecting assurance in his operation. It backfired last time.
He famously called the 2024 Jaguars “the best team assembled” in franchise history while addressing the squad during the preseason, a remark that was broadcast to fans in a documentary. Pederson distanced himself from Khan’s comments in Week 12 after Jacksonville had fallen to 2-9 on the season.
Khan exuded utmost confidence in Jacksonville’s players and coaches in that summer meeting, establishing an expectation for the Jaguars to “prove” his theory correct “by winning now.”
The Jaguars opened the campaign with their sixth 0-4 start in franchise history, and later rode a five-game losing streak into elimination from postseason contention in Week 13. Jacksonville finished the season 4-13.
Blamed for their “predictable” offensive and defensive schemes, the same coaches Khan considered the best in Jaguars’ history were shown the door 130 days after his speech was aired.
But not Baalke.
Khan defended Baalke’s résumé while asserting Jacksonville’s roster management was a “collaborative effort” between the personnel department and coaching staff on Monday, ultimately muddying the waters of responsibility.
“I think if you look at the body of work, certainly over the last five years. You look at the building blocks of players we have that we’re building the team around, you look at your salary cap, you look at the number of draft picks we have now and also making sure that our key players are getting paid. All of that has happened and we haven’t mortgaged a future so to speak,” Khan explained, with Baalke pinned beside him on a Zoom call.
“Some of the decision-making, do we pay our players or let them walk and then replace them with the draft and improve the players? That’s happened in the last two drafts. Number one receiver and right tackle would be something that comes to mind right away. So, I mean we can get into the granular things but overall, I think it’s pretty good.”
Jacksonville Jaguars Manager Trent Baalke walks off the field during the third day of an NFL football training camp practice Friday, July 26, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
To Baalke’s credit, yes, he selected a No. 1 wide receiver in Brian Thomas Jr. to replace the free agency loss of Calvin Ridley to the Tennessee Titans. He picked Anton Harrison to fill Jawaan Taylor’s spot at right tackle after the latter jumped at big money from the Kansas City Chiefs.
He signed five expected starters in free agency last year, and made 21 picks over the last two NFL drafts.
Yet, his efforts culminated in the Jaguars’ sixth-lowest season-long winning percentage since the club’s inception 30 years prior.
The 2024 free agent class flopped, with its prize, defensive lineman Arik Armstead, relegated to a rotational role at a position he all but admitted Monday was a mistake for him to play. Wide receiver Gabe Davis underwhelmed when he was available and missed about half the season due to a knee injury. Cornerback Ronald Darby was benched after 12 games.
To pair, only nine of Baalke’s 38 total draft picks with the Jaguars started in Week 1.
It was not the first time a Baalke-managed team found itself near the bottom of that list. The 2021 Jaguars, Baalke’s first season as general manager, in a pairing with Urban Meyer as head coach, own the third-worst winning percentage in franchise history.
However, Khan insinuated a “franchise overhaul” — in a literal sense rather than a reporter’s implied dismissal of a general manager and head coach together — would be “almost, like, suicidal.”
Khan believes Baalke has positioned the Jaguars to quickly turn things around in how he has constructed the roster. And Khan has no desire to turn over Jacksonville’s supporting staff: he complimented the health and wellness, medical, statistics, analysis and scouting teams for their growth during Baalke’s tenure to rebuff the idea of an overhaul Monday.
But it is worth remembering Meyer was the driving force behind the Jaguars building a standalone training facility attached to their practice fields upon his arrival as the team’s head coach. He also revamped the team’s player health and performance staff and created roles in the football administration.
Meyer was justifiably canned after multiple controversies in his lone year on the job. Pederson’s dismissal long appeared destined as he struggled to provide solutions to halt, or answers to explain, the Jaguars’ downfall this season.
If the efforts of these coaches were truly collaborative with their general manager, though, why has Baalke yet to be held responsible for the results?
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan during Friday afternoon’s press conference at TIAA Bank Field. After his arrival in Jacksonville, Florida Friday morning, April 30, 2021, Jacksonville Jaguars first-round draft pick Trevor Lawrence along with team owner Shad Khan, head coach Urban Meyer and the Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke held a press conference in the afternoon inside TIAA Bank Field. They were also joined by the Jaguars 25th pick in the first round of the draft and former Clemson teammate of Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Kind words and platitudes about those pushed onto the proverbial sword will not likely prevent prospective head coaches from wondering the same.
“This decision doesn’t erase the fact that Doug did a lot of good things here in Jacksonville,” Khan stated. “I have a lot of respect for Doug and will always be grateful for his effort.
“Now, we’re in a moment of opportunity for the Jacksonville Jaguars. I am energized by what is possible with all we have to offer our new head coach and look forward to a process that’s already begun.”
The Jaguars announced Tuesday their requests to interview eight head coaching candidates: Detroit offensive and defensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Las Vegas defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
If it takes the Jaguars 35 days after conducting their first interview to hire a new head coach, like last time, it will be fair to wonder if the candidates shared Khan’s excitement about what is possible in Jacksonville.
Doug Pederson is out of a job, having been fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Should the New Orleans Saints give him another shot?
Another head coaching position has opened up early Monday morning, with the firing of Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson.
After a disappointing season finishing with a record of 4-13, Jacksonville will be looking for a new face to build around quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Co. While some may be quick to think that Pederson won’t be considered for a head coaching job in this years cycle, don’t be surprised if the New Orleans Saints give Pederson a shot at the job.
In 2022 when the team handed the keys to Dennis Allen, Pederson was one of the few candidates to interview with the Saints after taking a year off since his Super Bowl-winning tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. With interest then, would the team be open to bringing Pederson in for an interview?
Historically, Pederson boasts an impressive resume despite a 64-66-1 record as head coach. During his tenure in Philly, Pederson led the Eagles to the playoffs three straight seasons from 2017 to 2019, reaching the Super Bowl in just his second year. A couple years later, Pederson would make his way to Jacksonville immediately turning the team around from a 3-14 season in 2021. Pederson in his first season would finish with a 9-8 record, helping the team clinch their first playoff berth since 2017. Pederson would take the team all the way to the divisional round in the AFC before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs by only a touchdown.
An exceptional start for Pederson to say the least.
Pederson would follow this up with another 9-8 season, but missed the playoffs this time. The expectation was that the team would be able to take that next leap as legitimate contenders in the AFC.
Unfortunately, the team was unable rebound this season ultimately ended up costing Pederson his job in the end. However, with that said there is enough evidence in Pederson’s coaching career that shows his ability to spark life into a franchise.
Something that the Saints desperately need.
When interviewing candidates these next couple of weeks, the league-wide perception is that the team prefers someone with head coaching experience and someone they’re familiar with. Pederson certainly checks the first box and brings a history of success with him, and he could also check the second box depending on what familiarity means for the Saints. Although he does not have direct ties with the team, they do have a good feel for Pederson’s style and what he could bring to a locker room.
The Jaguars fired their head coach on Monday, a day after completing a miserable 4-13 season.
The coach who led the Philadelphia Eagles to their lone Super bowl victory was 22-29 in three seasons in Florida. The Jaguars lost 18 of Pederson’s last 23 games.
The Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson on Monday following Jacksonville’s Week 18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and the franchise’s 4-13 2024 season, team owner Shad Khan announced in a statement.
The Jaguars are retaining general manager Trent Baalke, who will assist Khan in finding a new head coach, the statement read.
“I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Khan wrote.
“Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives. As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now.
“I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago. I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville.”
Pederson, 56, went 22-29 in the regular season and 23-30 including the postseason during his 53-game stint with the Jaguars. He owns a 64-66-1 regular-season record as an NFL head coach and a 69-69-1 mark including the playoffs and his Super Bowl LII victory with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In August, the Jaguars released a documentary that featured Khan’s message to the squad before their preseason, suggesting it was “the best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars, ever,” all-encompassing.
“Best players, best coaches. But most importantly, let’s prove it by winning now,” Khan said.
That same team experienced two losing streaks of four or more games, was eliminated from playoff contention in Week 13, and at season’s end clinched the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 03: Trevor Lawrence #16 and head coach Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars talk in the third quarter of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Jacksonville’s offense failed to meet expectations after quarterback Trevor Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension with the club in June. The Jaguars ranked No. 25 in the NFL in yards per game (306.2) and No. 26 in points per game (18.8) in 2024, after finishing the 2023 season No. 13 (339.5) and No. 14 (22.2) in those respective categories.
A combination of injuries sidelined Lawrence for most of the season’s second half. He missed two games after hurting his left, non-throwing shoulder against the Eagles in Week 9, and was placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion against the Houston Texans in Week 13. He had surgery on his shoulder on Dec. 17.
The Jaguars’ offense averaged 278.1 yards and 15 points per game over the seven contests Mac Jones, an offseason trade acquisition from the New England Patriots, started at quarterback.
Jacksonville’s defense underwent a significant facelift this past offseason. Pederson fired two-year defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and replaced him with Ryan Nielsen, who made his NFL play-calling debut with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023.
Nielsen installed a new scheme, and the Jaguars added a handful of fresh contributors to pair. They signed defensive lineman Arik Armstead, cornerback Ronald Darby and safety Darnell Savage Jr. in free agency; they picked nickel cornerback Jarrian Jones and defensive linemen Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson between the second and fourth rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.
Yet Jacksonville’s defense took a drastic step back from the year before. It ranked No. 31 in yards allowed per game (389.9), tied for No. 27 in points allowed per game (25.6) and last in turnovers generated (nine) in 2024, down from No. 22 (342.8), No. 17 (21.8) and No. 8 (27) to end the 2023 campaign, respectively.
Pederson’s early returns in Jacksonville were promising
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 05: Doug Pederson looks on as Shad Khan, Owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, speaks during a press conference introducing him as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Stadium on February 05, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
The Jaguars cast a wide net in their search to replace the controversial Urban Meyer as head coach nearly three years ago. Pederson reportedly received the first and last interview out of 10 candidates in a near-two-month process between Dec. 2021 and Feb. 2022.
Aside from his Super Bowl-winning status, Pederson was sought out by Jacksonville to bolster the development of its franchise quarterback and No. 1 overall 2021 NFL draft pick, Lawrence. Pederson was renowned for his work with passers, including Alex Smith as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator and Carson Wentz and Nick Foles as the Eagles’ head coach.
“Doug Pederson four years ago won a Super Bowl as head coach of a franchise in pursuit of its first world championship,” Khan said in a Feb. 2022 statement.
“I hope Doug can replicate that magic here in Jacksonville, but what is certain is his proven leadership and experience as a winning head coach in the National Football League. It’s exactly what our players deserve. Nothing less. Combine this with his acumen on the offensive side of the ball, and you have why I am proud to name Doug Pederson the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
After completing 59.6% of his passes for 3,641 yards with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions as a rookie under Meyer, Lawrence produced a 64.8% completion rate, 10,133 passing yards, 57 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in 42 starts under Pederson.
Pederson and the Jaguars caught lightning in a bottle in an 18-game stretch between 2022-23. After entering Week 14 of the head coach’s first season in town 4-8, Jacksonville ripped off five consecutive wins to secure a playoff berth and a sixth during the AFC Wild Card Round over the Los Angeles Chargers in a 27-point comeback, the largest in franchise history.
Jacksonville fell to Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Divisional Round, 27-20. But the Jaguars’ seemingly franchise-altering momentum under Pederson did not immediately halt.
The Jaguars opened 8-3 in 2023, put together another five-game winning streak between Weeks 4-8, and held a 4-1 record in the AFC South through Week 12. They beat three eventual playoff teams in that stretch: The Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Texans.
At that point, Jacksonville had won 14 of its last 18 games including in the playoffs, with Lawrence largely excelling, throwing for 3,719 yards with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Knocked off course, Pederson could not turn the Jaguars around
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 04: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is helped up by head coach Doug Pederson after being injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium on December 04, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
But Lawrence suffered a high-ankle sprain, and starting slot receiver Christian Kirk endured a season-ending core muscle injury, in Jacksonville’s Week 13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, sending the Jaguars’ 2023 season into a spiral.
Lawrence played through his ankle injury but experienced a concussion in a Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He cleared protocol to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16, only to hurt his throwing shoulder during that game, leading Lawrence to miss the first start of his NFL career in Week 17 against Carolina.
The Jaguars managed their only win of the six-game span to end the season with Lawrence sidelined, beating the Panthers, who finished the year with a 2-15 record, with C.J. Beathard at quarterback.
Jacksonville lost to the Tennessee Titans and was eliminated from playoff contention when Lawrence returned in Week 18. He was listed as questionable entering the weekend.
Despite leading the NFL in total offseason spending in an effort to bounce back this year, the Jaguars did anything but. Jacksonville opened a season 0-4 for the sixth time in its 30-year franchise history, and the first time since Meyer’s lone campaign in charge.
Jacksonville’s first win in 2024, at home in Week 5 against Indianapolis, was nearly stolen by 39-year-old, recent journeyman quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Jaguars held a 34-20 lead with 5:09 left in regulation, but Flacco completed three passes for 135 yards, tossed one touchdown and set up another for Colts running back Trey Sermon, to tie the contest over two drives.
Rookie Jacksonville kicker Cam Little hit a 49-yard field goal with 17 seconds left and edge rusher Travon Walker sacked Flacco on the final play to ensure the victory.
Jacksonville had to overcome a 10-point opening deficit to New England and its rookie quarterback, Drake Maye, to beat the Patriots overseas in Week 7. Lawrence pitched a pair of touchdowns and wide receiver Parker Washington returned a punt for a 96-yard score in the second quarter to snatch the matchup’s momentum.
The Jaguars only won two more games after returning stateside. They swept their AFC South rival Titans, who finished the season 3-14, with a 10-6 victory in Week 14 and a 20-13 triumph in Week 17.
Jacksonville’s second extended losing streak of the season began in Week 8, opening with one-score defeats against the Green Bay Packers, Eagles and Minnesota Vikings before the Detroit Lions handed the Jaguars their biggest beating in team history in Week 11, 52-6.
NFL Network reported before kickoff in Week 11 that a loss to the Lions could have prompted Khan to fire Pederson and Baalke during Jacksonville’s Week 12 bye. But Pederson and Baalke remained in their roles when the Jaguars returned to action in Week 13, a 23-20 loss to the Texans, and for the rest of the season.
Jacksonville went 5-18 between Lawrence suffering his ankle injury against Cincinnati in 2023 and Pederson’s dismissal on Monday.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 20-13 win over Titans
The Jacksonville Jaguars ended their 2024 home slate on a high note, beating the Tennessee Titans 20-13 to complete a season-long sweep over one of their biggest rivals and secure at least a .500 record in divisional play this year.
Find everything Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson said after the win below.
On Pederson’s thoughts on the game and the Jaguars getting the season sweep over the Titans:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Found a way to win. Proud of the guys. So happy for them. Coaching staff, the way these guys hang together, they stick together, there is no quit. They keep fighting. I keep telling them, you never know when the play is coming your way. When it does, just make it. You saw at the end there. [S] Antonio Johnson made the play and you win the game. So, a lot of good efforts in this game. Defense created a takeaway; offense was effective and good in the red zone today. Just a good team win.”
On if the win was particularly emotional:
DOUG PEDERSON: “It’s definitely emotional the way our season has gone. Obviously, we talked a lot about this, just the disappointment and the expectation not where it is, or should be. But any time you get a chance to win a game, especially against a good football team and division opponent, it’s always great. Locker room is excited. Probably a little bit of relief as well just to get another win. It’s part of what we keep talking about every day. We want to finish this thing the right way.”
On Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. tying former NFL WR Randy Moss’s rookie-NFL-record eight games with 60-plus receiving yards and a touchdown:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, you said Randy Moss, I was on the sideline in Green Bay when Randy had a big day in Minnesota against us. I remember that, his rookie season. Randy Moss is a heck of a receiver and Brian just keeps impressing each week. Can’t say enough good things about Brian and just happy for him. But just goes to show you just with him, and speaking of Brian, the way he works, the way he handles himself for a young kid, very impressive. Very impressed with Brian.”
On Jaguars QB Mac Jones’ play down the stretch:
DOUG PEDERSON: “I thought Mac played probably obviously one of his better games today. I thought he did a great job just putting the ball in play and taking what the defense gave him. Some really good scrambles early in the game to keep us on the field. Helped us in our third-down conversion rate today. The touchdown pass to Brian Thomas and just doing things that we ask him to do. Great performance by Mac, and he’s one of many guys that really had a hand in this win, but he played really well today.”
On the value Thomas Jr. can add as a runner:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Well, it adds a lot. It’s an element of surprise to the defense. A couple of times today on different things, giving him the football in space, guys just did a great job blocking for him, too. Any time you get Brian Thomas on the ball, in his hands, it’s pretty electric. He does some great things with it. So just want to continue to expand that role for him. But at the same time be smart and if it helps the offense, then we’re going to do it.”
On the importance of playing clean football:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, it’s been a minute since we’ve done that really in all three phases. Even down to the two-minute situations today, both at the end of the half and the end of the game, different scenarios there that, stuff we talk about, and our players did a great job of execution there. Like I said, the defense came up big. Had the takeaway. Offense scored. And then the turnover on downs at the end. Just a complete football game. Just excited for all those guys.”
On keeping coaches engaged at this point of the season:
DOUG PEDERSON: “For me, it’s more about just having some one-off conversations. I don’t get them together and say, ‘Hey, guys this is what needs –‘ we’re adults and we understand. We see what is being written, being said. Listen, obviously, we put ourselves in — I’m the leader of that ship or captain of that ship and obviously we’ve put ourselves in this situation. Just having one-off conversations and trying to, for me, still to encourage them as well and get them to understand that, ‘Hey, we’ve got a lot to play for and coach for, and you put your best foot forward and you give it everything you have during the week.’ When you’re rewarded like we were today, just makes it sweeter.”
On if it’s any consolation that the Jaguars have stayed engaged through the last few weeks of the season despite close losses:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Thank you. Thank you for reminding me. But it’s obvious. You’re right. The thing is the guys aren’t — they’re not waving the white flag. I think even when you talk to them in the locker room, they’re not — they’re busting their tails during the week and doing everything I’m asking them to do, coaches and players. Look, whatever happens at the end of the season is going to happen. We’ve still got one game left. Before today we had two games left. For us to finish the way we want to finish, whatever happens, regardless, we want to finish this thing the right way. We won today and that’s a huge step. Now we move on to the next one. Put another game plan together and go practice and try to do it again on the road. Then whatever happens, is going to happen. But just proud of the way the coaches and players have just stuck together and hung together. The fact that we were rewarded today speaks to that.”
On the chance to finish 4-2 in the division:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, I mean, that would be something to be very proud of in the midst of a disappointing season. To finish 4-2, that would be great. Just goes to show you and goes to show our team that these close games, the plays we made today were the ones we weren’t making in those close games. If it goes the other way maybe we win a few more of those games and it’s a different story. You know, I just think that to finish that way, to finish strong, it sends a good message to the team that you can still have a hold I think on your division, right? If you do that next week. You’ve got to win the game obviously. But just shows you can kind of control it. You control your own destiny, right, year in and year out. It will be a good message to the guys if we can accomplish that.”
Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 19-14 loss to Raiders
The Jaguars’ dreadful 2024 season took another turn for the worse in Week 16 when Jacksonville fell to the Las Vegas Raiders — who entered the contest as the worst team in the NFL as reflected in the Week 15 2025 NFL draft order — 19-14.
Find everything Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after Jacksonville’s latest loss below.
On if Pederson is frustrated by the Jaguars’ effort level and mistakes at inopportune times:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, you kind of summed it up. You’re right, it’s not for the lack of effort, physicality, all that. Those guys do play hard. But the mistakes, penalties, things that just held us back all season. I think as coaches, players, it’s the frustrating part. Until we get that corrected, obviously there’s going to be a lot of long days. We’ve got to get it fixed.”
On if there is self-doubt that affects the Jaguars’ ability to win close games:
DOUG PEDERSON: “I’m sure there’s some. I’m sure when a bad play happens or a penalty and it sets you back a little bit, I think maybe there’s a little bit – where we are in our season, I’m sure that creeps in. Guys are human. They’re going to feel that. They’re going to feel that emotion. But it’s mental toughness. It’s the grind. It’s the grit, determination. And the guys show it, and they have shown it, but we just haven’t been able to overcome some of the setbacks.”
On if it’s hard to focus at this time of year:
DOUG PEDERSON: “What do you mean by ‘this time of year’?”
On if it’s hard to focus at this point in a losing season:
DOUG PEDERSON: “I’m sure there’s some of that. I’m sure, again, you’re human and things haven’t gone our way this season. And disappointing as that is, you’re going to feel that emotion. It’s just something that, I think, everybody handles it a little bit differently. But it’s that mental toughness we talk about, having that. And just trying to flush a negative play. Trying your best you can to move on from bad plays, mistakes, whatever it is. Trying to move on to the next play.”
On if Pederson can enjoy rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr.’s successes despite the Jaguars’ record:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, I’m so happy for Brian. We talked last week. He’s such a bright spot offensively and gives a thousand-plus yards and all of that. Just a kid that is so deserving of it, from the way he works to how he plays. And the load that we put on him, for a young player like that, to go out and perform like he does. So happy for him, definitely a bright spot.”
On if Pederson has ever seen an easier touchdown play on Thomas Jr.’s 62-yard receiving touchdown:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Probably busted coverage, looked like. And we needed a play, because I think B.T. [Brian Thomas Jr.] dropped one earlier. And then we come back to him again on the same type of thing and he makes the play. So, it’s the type of kid he is. But it’s never an easy play, but we got help on that one.”
On how difficult managing the pre-snap was:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Those are the inconsistencies. I would say that [Raiders Head Coach] Coach [Antonio] Pierce is probably saying the same thing with his team. But where we are as a football team and the type of year we’ve had, we just can’t make those types of mistakes and expect to win. That probably goes without saying. It’s hard to overcome and try to flush it and move on, I guess.”
On the Jaguars’ lack of takeaways in the last five games:
DOUG PEDERSON: “We had opportunities again today. A couple of balls were tipped and had chances, and that’s part of it too, creating the takeaways. And we had two huge costly turnovers. But again, it’s not for lack of effort and all that. But it’s an area that just we’ve got to keep working, keep working during the week at it. You’ve got to keep making an emphasis in game. You could see our guys punching the football, things of that nature. It’s just not bouncing our way.”
On if Pederson was surprised by P Logan Cooke’s shanked punt:
DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, that one surprised me. I know he definitely would want that one back. But obviously, we know Logan [Cooke] is a great punter, just uncharacteristic of him and his ability, but definitely a punt he’d like to have back.”
Pederson talks Jaguars ascending CBs Montaric Brown, De’Antre Prince
Often a spot-starter over his first three seasons with the team, Jaguars cornerback Montaric “Buster” Brown has seized a first-team role in Jacksonville’s defense as the 2024 regular season nears its close.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Monday that Brown had succeeded veteran Ronald Darby to start at cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell moving forward, crediting Jacksonville’s 2022 seventh-round NFL draft pick for his development and performances when asked to step up.
Brown has started seven games this season, five while Campbell was on Jacksonville’s injured reserve in Weeks 2-6, and in the Jaguars’ last two matchups over a healthy Darby. Brown has logged 46 total tackles with five for loss, one interception and seven defended passes in 14 appearances total.
Despite his previous status as a backup, Brown frequently played in rotation with Campbell and Darby earlier this season. His 691 defensive snaps this year rank No. 5 on the team.
“A guy that’s worked hard, was kind of thrust into action and has really embraced it,” Pederson described Brown on Friday.
“He’s another one that, I think, elevated his game. But again, it just doesn’t happen. Buster works at it. He works at it hard in practice and he’s hard on himself. He’s coachable, and that’s what’s made him a really good player for us.”
Brown had previously started seven games with the Jaguars, largely while Campbell battled multiple injuries in 2023. He exceeded expectations as a former late-round draft pick, entering the campaign with 40 tackles and four pass breakups in 20 career games.
He has taken another step forward with further opportunities this season. Per Pro Football Focus, through Week 15, Brown’s 67.2% coverage completion rate, 10.5 yards per reception allowed and 96.5 passer rating against are all career bests, to pair with his increased box score production.
Brown’s coverage completion percentage drops to 65.2% in games he has started this year.
“I think he just is going to continue to learn, continue to grow, continue to get better. That’s a good sign for a young player,” Pederson added.
Pederson believes Brown’s emergence provides a “great example” for another young member of Jacksonville’s secondary, rookie cornerback De’Antre Prince, who also is slated for an uptick in defensive snaps after Darby’s benching.
Jacksonville’s fifth-round, No. 153 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, Prince has appeared in eight games this season but with a larger snap share on special teams (11%) than defense (7%). He has recorded two tackles.
“I think it’s going to be great for him,” Pederson said of Prince. “Regardless of the number of snaps, hopefully, in the next couple of games, he gets quite a few, and it gives us an insight into the type of player and to who Tre is. He works obviously hard at practice, and it’s an opportunity to go play.
“It gives the player a lot of confidence if he can go out and play, play well and do some good things. For us too, it gives us, again, that insight to how can this player help us, in Tre’s case, in the future, and where can we use him on defense. These next few weeks, a lot of our young players, it’s just that — a great opportunity for them.”
Pederson: Four injured Jaguars ‘all fine’ entering Raiders matchup
Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson on Friday considered the four starting Jaguars who have been limited in practice throughout Week 16 — tight end Brenton Strange, offensive tackle Walker Little, and guards Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff — “all fine” ahead of the club’s Sunday road matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Strange (shoulder) and Little (ankle) suffered their injuries in Jacksonville’s 32-25 loss to the New York Jets in Week 15 but were able to finish the game. Cleveland (knee) and Scherff (knee/shoulder) have played through their hurts for multiple weeks.
Strange took over as Jacksonville’s starting tight end against New York after Evan Engram was ruled out for the season with a labrum injury that required surgery. Strange has logged 34 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns in 14 appearances, including 11 grabs for 73 yards versus the Jets.
The Jaguars and Raiders’ Week 16 matchup is scheduled to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
ESPN considers ‘worst mistake’ Jaguars have made in last five seasons
Every NFL team has made its share of mistakes. Some more, and some much bigger, than others.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are, historically, no strangers to committing errors, as they have attempted to field a Super Bowl-contending team over 30 years of existence and have only 10 winning seasons to show for it.
And in their last five, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Jaguars committed one of the biggest blunders in the league by hiring Urban Meyer as their head coach in 2021.
Barnwell considered Meyer’s short tenure in Duval the sixth-worst mistake an NFL team has made since 2020, noting the one-year Jaguars head coach’s staff choices, personal decisions and awkward moments among the flaws he committed on the job.
There are so many moments from the Meyer era that could be considered embarrassing decisions and situations in their own right. The Chris Doyle hire. Signing Tim Tebow to play tight end. Abandoning the team plane so he could go to his bar in Ohio, at which point he was filmed in close contact with someone who wasn’t his wife. An impossibly awkward handshake with Mike Vrabel. Talking about the expanded role on defense for a player who had been on the field for zero snaps. His reported unfamiliarity with Aaron Donald and Deebo Samuel. Oh, and allegedly kicking his own kicker, which finally led to the Jaguars firing him.
Meyer went 2-11, wasted a year of Trevor Lawrence’s rookie contract and set the franchise back well beyond where it was when he arrived. Doug Pederson took over as coach, and it’s a small miracle that he got the Jags to the playoffs the following season at 9-8. While Jags fans are understandably frustrated with what has happened since, even the lowlights of the Pederson era feel like Vince Lombardi in comparison to Meyer’s abbreviated run.
Jaguars Wire need not add further comment.
Barnwell faulted the Cleveland Browns for making the league’s most self-damaging move since 2020: Trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson and giving him a fully guaranteed, $230 million contract in 2022, while he faced nearly two dozen civil allegations of sexual misconduct. The NFL eventually suspended Watson for 11 games that season.
The Browns have since benched Watson after he passed for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 19 starts, going 9-10.
