Doug Pederson – Syndication Server

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.

Surgeries completed for Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, TE Evan Engram

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and tight end Evan Engram had successful surgeries to address season-ending injuries this week, Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson said on Wednesday.

Lawrence underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, which he suffered in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

After missing two games due to the injury, Lawrence returned to play in Week 13 against Houston but sustained a concussion on an illegal hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

The combination of injuries led Jacksonville to place Lawrence on its injured reserve on Dec. 4, ending his season. He cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol on Sunday, allowing him to schedule his shoulder operation for Tuesday.

Engram hurt his shoulder against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, which he was originally expected to play through, per Pederson. However, testing revealed Engram suffered a labrum injury that required surgery, which he had on Monday.

Like Lawrence, Engram was moved to the Jaguars’ injured reserve on Saturday, ending his campaign.

“Everything was positive in both players’ cases and just now looking forward to recovery time,” Pederson said Wednesday.

Lawrence finished his season having completed 172-of-284 passing for 2,045 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and rushed for 119 yards and three scores, in 10 starts.

Engram, who also missed Weeks 2-5 with a hamstring injury, caught 47 passes for 365 yards and one touchdown in nine starts.

While it is unclear if Lawrence and Engram will be cleared to participate in organized team activities (OTAs), which occurred in May this past offseason, Pederson anticipates both players recovering fully from their surgeries by sometime this spring.

“Don’t know that yet. It’s hard to put a timeframe on it, you don’t want to rush it,” said Pederson. “I guess the thing is too, in both cases, they’re not long-term, lengthy-type surgeries [or] recovery time. So, at some point this spring they’ll be ready to go.”

Jaguars new starting TE dealing with shoulder injury

Jaguars’ new starting tight end Brenton Strange is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder and will begin Week 16 limited in practice, Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson revealed on Wednesday.

Strange took over as Jacksonville’s starting tight end for the rest of the year after Evan Engram was ruled out for the season with a labrum injury last week.

Strange caught a career-high 11 passes for 73 yards against the New York Jets on Sunday.

“Brenton [had an] AC sprain coming out of the game. He’ll just be a little bit limited, he’ll be fine,” Pederson said. “We’ll just limit him today, no contact, things like that.”

Jacksonville’s second-round, No. 61 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Strange has logged 34 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games and seven starts this season, a breakout campaign after he hauled in only five passes for 35 yards and one touchdown as a rookie.

Strange started for Jacksonville in Weeks 2-5 as Engram nursed a hamstring injury suffered in the first game of the season, against the Miami Dolphins.

“Brenton’s been a bright spot for us,” Pederson described Strange Monday. “Somebody who we’ve always, as a staff, really have had a lot of confidence in. I think too for Brenton, it’s just a matter of getting that opportunity, and now he has it, obviously, under unfortunate circumstances. But he really has just been a bright spot.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked. He does a great job in the run game, he’s physical. Then, you’re seeing what he can do in the pass game. Great hands, ability to separate and get open, and then break tackles. That’s what you want from your tight end.”

Jacksonville will face the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Week 16, at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Doug Pederson addresses Jaguars benching CB Ronald Darby

Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby was removed from Jacksonville’s starting lineup in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans and did not take the field despite being active in Week 15 against the New York Jets.

Darby, who signed a two-year, $8.5 million free agent contract with Jacksonville in March and started the first 12 games of the season, was benched in favor of third-year Jaguars cornerback Montaric ‘Buster’ Brown for the rest of the year, head coach Doug Pederson revealed Monday.

Noting the move was not disciplinary, Pederson praised Brown for his performance this season, in rotation and at times in relief of starting cornerback Tyson Campbell, who has battled hamstring and shoulder injuries.

“I just think Buster’s been playing well, and really just giving him an opportunity right now,” Pederson said.

Pederson also hopes to play Jaguars fifth-round rookie cornerback De’Antre Prince, who has appeared in eight games but primarily on special teams, more often defensively by making the switch.

“Moving forward I think with the last three games, I think you’ll see Buster and hopefully get a chance to see Tre Prince and see where he’s at, as well,” said Pederson. “But yeah, Buster’s been playing really well.”

Brown has logged 63 total tackles including five for loss, his first NFL interception and seven defended passes in 14 games and seven starts this season. He has recorded 103 tackles and 11 defended passes in 34 career appearances.

A 10th-year pro, Darby previously played for Pederson with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2017-19. While productive in his time with the Eagles, recording six interceptions, Darby was dealt a string of significant injuries, a torn ACL, a dislocated ankle, and hamstring and hip strains.

After a second ACL tear, with the Denver Broncos in 2022, Darby joined Baltimore to fill spot-starting and rotational roles in the Ravens’ secondary. He experienced a career resurgence, breaking up nine passes, his most since 2020, in 18 games including the postseason.

Darby took over the starting role vacated by Jacksonville releasing Darious Williams in March, at outside cornerback under first-year Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

“I just go out there and work,” Darby told Jaguars Wire in a July interview. “You know, this [is] Year 10 for me. Like, I’ve been making plays. You don’t make it to Year 10 not being able to play. So I just go out there and do what I gotta do, like I do all the time.”

Darby posted 46 total tackles with three for loss and nine defended passes through Week 14, bringing his career totals to 447 tackles with 12 for loss, eight interceptions, 106 defended passes and one forced fumble over 118 games and 107 starts.

Darby ranks No. 7 among Jaguars defenders with 659 defensive snaps logged this season. He took the field for 17 plays against the Titans in Week 14, his first game out of the starting lineup.

Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 32-25 loss to Jets

Find everything Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after Jacksonville’s 32-25 loss to the New York Jets in Week 15 below.

On Jets WR Davante Adams second half performance:

DOUG PEDERSON: “He’s a great receiver. I mean, Aaron [Rodgers] is a great quarterback. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback. So they made plays that we didn’t make, and that part’s unfortunate. I thought we did some good things. But, again, it comes down to just a couple plays that your season or your game or whatever could be a little bit different. But give credit, I mean, those are two good players.”

On Jaguars QB Mac Jones performance:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I thought Mac played good. He played well. I thought the offensive line protected well today again, did some good things. B.T. [Brian Thomas Jr.] had a heck of a game. I just think we’ve got to keep learning and keep growing as a team and keep working. Mac gets more comfortable with the things we’re doing and what he likes. He played tough. He played physical, some scrambles in there, so it was a good performance, good performance.”

On the late interception by Mac Jones at the end of the game:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I think he just sailed the ball too high. Look, he’s trying to make a play, obviously. I have to take a look at the film and make a determination on the route. It was a double move route combination, so catching them in their two-high shell defense and felt like it was just a little overthrown.”

On if the Jaguars let the Jets score at the 1-yard-line in the fourth quarter:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Yes.”

On if Pederson was surprised the Jets didn’t take a knee there and force the Jaguars to use their timeouts:

DOUG PEDERSON: “It’s a different philosophy, but obviously, yeah, you can score the touchdown. You kind of in those situations, you want them to score so you can save time for our offense. Or, you know, the other way is you knee it a couple times and make me burn the two timeouts. It’s either way. Either way. “

On how nice it was to see Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. and TE Brenton Strange perform well:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I couldn’t be more happy for both those guys. This is a great opportunity for Brenton, and he really rose to the occasion. You talk about a great, humble kid that plays tough, plays physical, the type of player that we know that he is. And, of course, B.T., you just see a top receiver in this league. He’s a good, young receiver that’s going to continue to get better. And as we get Trevor [Lawrence] back and all that kind of stuff, it’s a good combination to build around.”

On if Pederson views Brian Thomas Jr. as a bright spot in the Jaguars’ season:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I think so. Heck, he’s had a heck of a season for a rookie receiver, and not only here in Jacksonville, but in the NFL. Like I said, I think there’s more, as he continues to grow and learn. He can get better. But I’ll tell you this. Gosh, he’s a good, humble kid that does work hard. And he has been a very, very big, bright spot for our offense all season.”

On Pederson’s expectations of Brian Thomas Jr. coming out of training camp and if he thought he might deliver a 1,000-yard rookie season:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Some [rookies] do. And obviously we had high expectations coming out of camp with him. Obviously Christian [Kirk], Gabe [Davis], Evan [Engram], we had some pieces that we continued to run our offense out of, and really find a niche for Brian and really see what he’s capable of doing. But as the season progressed, you can see that he can handle more information. He can handle more responsibility. And each week we keep finding ways to load him up and he answers. That’s what you want from your top receiver. Like I said, he’s just been such a bright spot. He’s been a workhorse offensively. There’s a lot of people we depend on and count on, but for a young player, he’s someone that you can dial the ball up and chances are he’s going to find a completion. Just been thoroughly impressed with Brian as the season’s gone on.”

On what there is to like about Brenton Strange as a route runner and pass catcher:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I think he’s bigger, he’s physical. Obviously he runs — he probably runs better than people think. Really good, disciplined route runner. Plus he’s learning from Evan [Engram] too. He’s got a good mentor there to learn from. Again, it’s what Brenton does during the week and how he attacks the week and what he works on. He continues to work on his weaknesses, which enhances his strengths. Again, he’s been a bright spot for us, a good, young player, and excited for him.”

Doug Pederson anticipates new Jaguars WR making debut vs. Jets

New Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds is expected to make his debut when Jacksonville hosts the New York Jets in Week 15, head coach Doug Pederson said on Friday.

Jacksonville added Reynolds via waivers last Wednesday, after he was let go by the Denver Broncos on Dec. 3. He practiced with the Jaguars last Thursday and Friday but did not play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14.

Pederson noted Reynolds has quickly fit into Jacksonville’s offense and his expectation for Reynolds to field a sizable role given the season-ending injuries the Jaguars have experienced among their starting pass-catchers, to wide receivers Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis and tight end Evan Engram.

“Smart kid, [he] has picked up our offense pretty well,” Pederson said. “Only been here for a week and has done a good job fitting in. Obviously, now we expect his role to really increase more and more these last few games.”

Reynolds logged 12 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown in five games with the Broncos this season and 232 catches for 3,116 yards and 20 touchdowns over 112 games in his career, including 54 starts.

Reynolds spent four seasons (2017-20) with the Los Angeles Rams, half of the 2021 campaign with the Tennessee Titans, and the rest of that year through the 2023 season with the Detroit Lions.

Jaguars change course, rule TE Evan Engram out for season

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson changed course Friday, ruling Jacksonville starting tight end Evan Engram out for the rest of the 2024 season with a labrum injury that will require surgery.

Pederson revealed Monday that Engram suffered a shoulder injury in Jacksonville’s Week 14, 10-6 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

While Engram did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, Pederson said Wednesday that he expected the tight end to play in Week 15 against the New York Jets.

“Unfortunately we’re going to lose Evan for the year,” Pederson said Friday. “After more MRI results, testing and all that, he’ll have a labrum to get fixed. So, he’ll have surgery and fix the shoulder and miss the rest of the year.”

Pederson would not share when he learned the results of Engram’s medical testing.

“It doesn’t matter when I found out. It’s just the fact that the decision’s been made,” Pederson said. “So, he’s going to have surgery.”

Engram, who missed four games with a hamstring injury in Weeks 2-5, finishes his season with 47 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown in nine starts this season. He has caught 234 passes for 2,094 yards and nine touchdowns in three years with the Jaguars.

After signing a three-year, $41.25 million contract extension with the Jaguars in July 2023, Engram produced the second-most receptions in a single season in franchise history last season with 114, going for 963 yards and four touchdowns.

Engram is the fourth offensive starter Jacksonville has lost for the season due to injury, following wide receivers Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis and quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated.