Tag: Doug Pederson

Pederson, Jaguars trying to ‘stay positive’ amid 2024 slide

Pederson, Jaguars trying to ‘stay positive’ amid 2024 slide

Doug Pederson and the Jaguars are trying to “stay positive” amid their three-game losing streak and a 2-8 season.

Jacksonville has done anything but meet the winning expectation Jaguars owner Shad Khan set in a team meeting before the preseason, opening the year with its sixth 0-4 mark in franchise history and sliding into the No. 1 spot of the current 2025 NFL draft order by Week 11.

Pederson has not lost hope yet, however. He believes the Jaguars still have room to turn their campaign around.

“I think our goals and everything are right in front of us,” Pederson expressed Monday. “Despite the mistakes and the losses, obviously.”

In Pederson’s eyes, the Jaguars still have a chance to right the ship in an AFC South which includes only one winning team, the Texans (6-4). Jacksonville will face Houston and the Indianapolis Colts (4-6) once more apiece, having already beaten the latter in Week 5, and the Tennessee Titans (2-7) twice.

Jacksonville will also face the New York Jets (3-7) in Week 15 and Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) in Week 16.

If the Jaguars managed to turn their year around, it would not be dissimilar from the club’s run to the 2022-23 AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, when Jacksonville won its division by finishing 9-8, on a five-game winning streak.

“You show them where we are. You show them our division, you show them what’s left on the schedule, and you try to stay positive,” Pederson explained his approach to keeping the Jaguars confident. “I still feel like it’s a great opportunity for us as a team. We’ve got to figure out how to win a game.”

What gives Pederson confidence is the effort he has witnessed from the Jaguars in their losses, six of which have been decided by five or fewer points.

He pointed to what was effectively a loss-sealing penalty by Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday as an example of the team’s fight.

Walker was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a 3rd and 7, six-yard run by running back Aaron Jones. Walker aggressively tried to punch the football out of Jones’ grip and force a takeaway deep in Minnesota territory with 52 seconds left in the game, as Jacksonville trailed 12-7.

Pederson commended Walker’s desire to make a potential game-changing play, on the Jacksonville defense’s 80th play of the game, no less.

“It’s a crazy business and it can change for us in a hurry the other way and get positive in a quick way. But the guys haven’t checked out whatsoever. They put in the time during the week,” Pederson said.

“It’s hard. You hurt for the guys because you just see how much they put into it. And then they’re not rewarded for it. To have six one-score losses, six games. It’s hard. That’s hard. Sometimes we make it hard. But yet the guys, like I said, they see it. They understand it. We’re all in it together and we try to fix them and move on.”

Oddsmakers are not confident Jacksonville will achieve its seventh one-score loss of the season in Detroit on Sunday, with the Lions currently considered 13-point favorites over the Jaguars in Week 11.

With Jacksonville on bye in Week 12 and Khan’s megayacht having docked in town last week, speculation abounds regarding Pederson’s future with the Jaguars.

An upset victory over Detroit could, at least temporarily, dispel any notion Pederson’s end in Jacksonville is near, and perhaps offer the Jaguars the spark they have been looking for this year.

Pederson updates Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, OL Ezra Cleveland

Pederson updates Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, OL Ezra Cleveland

The Jaguars will monitor the statuses of a pair of injured starters, quarterback Trevor Lawrence and left guard Ezra Cleveland, throughout Week 11 as Jacksonville prepares to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson considered it “hard to tell” if Lawrence, who missed Jacksonville’s Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with a reportedly “significant” AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, will be able to play against the Lions.

“We’ve still got a couple of days. I don’t have any definite answers right now,” Pederson said about Lawrence.

Pederson added that Lawrence has not spoken with the Jaguars about undergoing surgery on his injury, which was called “possible” by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on Sunday.

“There’s not been a talk on surgery, so I don’t know where the surgery talk is coming from,” said Pederson. “Nothing like that.”

Lawrence has completed 168-of-274 (61.3%) passes for 2,004 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in nine starts this season. He has also rushed for three touchdowns.

Cleveland hurt his ankle in the Jaguars’ Week 8 loss against the Green Bay Packers and has been sidelined ever since. He missed Jacksonville’s last two games and has not practiced since Oct. 25.

Pederson suggested Cleveland could return to practice on Wednesday in an unclear capacity.

“As of Monday, today, tomorrow — he’s going to get some rest on it again and he should be out there at practice and maybe get a few snaps,” Pederson said. “We’ll see where he’s at.”

Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ lethargic loss to Vikings

Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ lethargic loss to Vikings

The Jaguars (2-8) had every opportunity to upset the Vikings (7-2) at home on Sunday, with Jacksonville’s defense intercepting Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold three times.

However, Jacksonville’s lethargic offense failed to generate any points following those turnovers. After quarterback Mac Jones turned the ball over three times himself in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars ultimately fell to the Vikings, 12-7.

Find everything Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after Jacksonville’s third-consecutive defeat and eighth loss of the 2024 season below.

On Pederson’s assessment of the game: 

DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, I thought defense did an outstanding job with the type of firepower they have on offense. I know there was yards, time of possession, but to hold that team to four field goals, it gives you a chance. Obviously we had the drive in the first quarter, touchdown drive and then after that, we couldn’t stay on the field. Credit Minnesota on what they did defensively, Coach Flores [defensive coordinator Brian Flores], they did their stuff. And we didn’t overcome a few things. Had a couple of setbacks on first down. Had too many seconds and longs. But this game is not about one person or one man. It’s a team sport, and we just didn’t do enough today.”

On what kind of feedback QB Mac Jones gave him about his two interceptions:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Honestly, we’ve got to watch the tape tomorrow, watch it with them, the players, get feedback, because I didn’t necessarily speak to them after. The two change of possessions like that, we were right back on defense, so I didn’t get a chance to talk to him at that time.”

On if Pederson received any feedback from Jones in the locker room postgame:

DOUG PEDERSON: “He’s hurting. He’s taking it hard. I just told him, it’s again it’s not about one guy. This is a team deal and offensively we didn’t do enough around Mac — and I’m not — listen, it takes 11 guys.”

On why it was difficult for Jacksonville to get its wide receivers involved against Minnesota: 

DOUG PEDERSON: “Minnesota did a nice job. They showed, if you watch the game, they showed a lot of six up, seven up, which they do. Play a lot of Cover 2, spin out to Cover 2, a lot of cloud stuff. Then, of course, the pass rush. So it’s a challenge. It’s a challenge. And we obviously have to do a better job when we see that kind of stuff and execute. As coaches, we can prepare a little better there and help our guys out. But I credit what they did.”

On what Pederson’s level of disappointment is this season given the Jaguars are 2-8:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Never expected to be here. We had five or six games, they’re one-score games. It’s hard. As a team, as coaches, we’re making it hard, too hard. And the guys are frustrated, and they should be; and they’re angry, and they should be because we all are. But we have to channel it in a positive way and get ready for another one.”

On how to get WR Brian Thomas Jr. involved and if Minnesota played more cloud defense: 

DOUG PEDERSON: “They did play it more. I mean, this is a Cover 2 defense. And they did a lot of that today. Then, again, their pass rush did a nice job. Got some pressure on Mac, made him scramble early, and then so it’s a combination of both. It’s what they did schematically to us and then just our execution offensively.”

On what was supposed to happen during the play in which Jones threw his second interception:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I’m not going to go through the details of the play because you guys wouldn’t figure it out. But we’ll look at the tape tomorrow and we’ll make those corrections.”

On if Pederson is shocked that the Jaguars moved the ball so well during the beginning of the game but not throughout the whole game:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I wasn’t shocked during the game. That’s what we’re expected to do. I think as the game progressed, it just got seemingly worse, right, first down, run the ball, we got behind the chains. Second and long. It just got harder offensively. That was the frustrating part, I think, just not staying positive on first down because you go back to that drive, that’s what we did. We were able to stay on the field and stay positive on first down.”

Breaking down the issues with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense

Breaking down the issues with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter their Week 10 home bout against Minnesota with questions surrounding their defensive play which has been, at best, inconsistent since early in the campaign.

Jacksonville’s offense has become a strength as the season has progressed, at least when it has been healthy, with much of its success coming from quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s right arm, the legs of second-year running back Tank Bigsby and the hands of rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

However, the Jaguars’ defense continues to give up numerous big plays every week. The unit currently ranks in the bottom five in points allowed per game and expected points added (EPA) per play allowed.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at why the defense has struggled and what improvements are needed at the halfway point.

Inconsistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks

On paper, Jacksonville has enough talent to be an aggressive defense, especially when it comes to getting pressure on the quarterback. First-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen relies on his four-man fronts to generate the pressures without the constant need for blitzes.

While the experiment looked promising in Week 1, it has not been successful in the eight games since. The Jaguars have the 11th-fewest pressures in the league, the fourth-lowest quarterback pressure percentage, the sixth-lowest sack rate, and the lowest blitz rate.

Defensive linemen are not winning at the point of attack. Some are not winning their matchups and struggle to generate effective pass-rush moves and combinations to defeat their blocks.

The only exceptions are defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, who have been terrors in recent weeks against opposing offensive tackles. Both pass rushers have 34 pressures each while the rest of the defense has 31 in total.

For the Jaguars to improve their efficiency in chasing the quarterback, Nielsen must begin to be more creative in generating pressure. They also must sacrifice some of their man coverage deployment. This leads to the next issue.

Jacksonville must become more diverse with its coverage calls

In theory, man-heavy defenses can be successful. You need stout defensive linemen in the trenches, especially ones that can generate pressure and win one-on-one matchups consistently.

Linebackers must have the athleticism and fluidity to cover running backs and tight ends. Cornerbacks need to be physically at the line of scrimmage while also bestowing steady technique in their footwork and press jams.

Jacksonville doesn’t have enough of those kinds of players. This defense continues to struggle more often than not in this regard. Its contributors’ skill sets are not fit for man-heavy defenses that force little margin for error.

According to Football Insights, the Jaguars have played man coverage at the second-highest rate in the NFL this season behind Detroit while having one of the lowest zone coverage rates in the league. They are a true Cover 1 and Cover 2-man unit.

It’s a defense that could turn itself around quickly with more Cover 3 and quarters coverage while maintaining their base looks out of single or two-high.

If Jacksonville is to turn its season around by some miracle, diversifying the coverage variations would allow a talented unit to play to their strengths instead of being forced out of position through the system.

Better discipline in all phases is required

Earlier in the season, it looked like the Jaguars were set to have a stout defense, especially with their performances against Miami and Cleveland in the first two weeks. Instead, the defense has turned into one of the league’s worst.

While Jacksonville has a talented defense, it remains undisciplined in all phases. While plenty of the blame can be placed on the players themselves, this is a coaching issue and it starts with defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Defenders have struggled to tackle in space and the statistics can back this up. The Jaguars have allowed the most yards after the catch (1,379), the 11th-most YAC over-expected (plus-147) and the most yards per play in the league (6.0).

Nielsen’s unit has been giving up way too many big plays this season. A couple of notable ones have been against Green Bay and Philadelphia in the last two weeks.

 

On film, players are often out of position relative to their assignments and responsibilities, specifically against the pass. For a defense that was supposed to be a strength this season, its lack of success falls on coaching and a lack of proper fundamentals instilled.

Head coach Doug Pederson replaced most of his defensive staff coaching from last season yet the unit has regressed under new leadership. It is now fair to wonder if Pederson will get another chance to fix the unit’s issues this offseason.

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson has a simple answer for what makes Sam Darnold better

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson spoke to the media about the matchup before he was asked a simple question to which he gave a simple answer.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Minnesota Vikings faceoff on Sunday in a Week 10 matchup. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson spoke to the media about the matchup before he was asked a simple question to which he gave a simple answer.

When asked what has allowed for Sam Darnold to turn things around this season, Pederson gave a simple answer: “Justin Jefferson.”

To his credit, Pederson did laugh after giving the answer and went on to credit the coaching staff led by Kevin O’Connell and the scheme they are executing. The answer of Jefferson though perhaps was a glimpse into the truth that teams around the league feel about him.

The All-Pro wide receiver is on pace for a monster season with Darnold. Through nine weeks he is pacing for 102 catches, 1,663 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. Of course, he makes anyone he plays with better, but Darnold plays a part in Jefferson’s production, as much as Jefferson helps out Darnold.

Pederson updates Jaguars OL Cooper Hodges’ ‘significant’ leg injury

Pederson updates Jaguars OL Cooper Hodges’ ‘significant’ leg injury

Jaguars offensive lineman Cooper Hodges, who made the first start of his NFL career Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, “probably” suffered a season-ending leg injury in the game, Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson revealed on Monday.

Pederson did not offer specifics about the injury.

Hodges went down on Jacksonville’s successful two-point conversion with just over five minutes left in the third quarter and was carted off the field. Pederson said after the game that Hodges was transported to a hospital.

“That was a significant leg injury during the game,” Pederson said Monday. “We’ll miss him.”

Hodges, a seventh-round NFL draft pick by Jacksonville in 2023 and a native of nearby Glen St. Mary, has appeared in nine games with the Jaguars and filled in for left guard Ezra Cleveland against the Eagles and when the starter suffered an ankle injury against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.

Blake Hance, who signed to Jacksonville’s active roster from its practice squad last week, took over at left guard upon Hodges’ exit from the game.

Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 28-23 loss to Eagles

Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 28-23 loss to Eagles

Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts shredded the Jaguars’ defense, yet Jacksonville almost pulled off a comeback in Philadelphia before falling to the Eagles 28-23 on Sunday evening.

Find everything Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after the loss below.

On whether the plan was to score immediately on the Jaguars’ final drive:

“Yeah, with the time left, we had talked about it on the sideline to kind of slow the pace there at the end, you know, and it’s just something you have to try to do, right? If you can stay in bounds, you stay in bounds. Or if it’s incomplete, you play another down, whatever it is. But the bottom line is we still needed to score and I felt good with the way our defense had played, they would give us a shot.”

On whether Jaguars RB D’Ernest Johnson was the first read on the final play:

“Yeah, he’s the first read. Great play by [Eagles LB Nakobe Dean].”

On whether Pederson could have used more of the clock on the final drive and have every play in the playbook open to run:

“I don’t understand the question, but I guess yes. I mean, you have a minute and 40 something left on the clock. I think it was first down, something like that. It’s still part of our red zone game plan. It wasn’t like we were forcing a throw into the end zone. I’m saying it was part of our red zone game plan. So great play by [Eagles LB Nakobe Dean].”

On how much Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. was impacted by his chest injury:

“I don’t think a whole lot. If you watch the game, they clouded him quite a bit.”

On whether Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is still getting used to some of the wide receivers and whether that impacts the play call:

“No, it doesn’t impact the way we do anything. That’s why you practice during the week. You put these guys in situations to hopefully go out and make plays, but it didn’t impact anything offensively.”

On the Jaguars battling but not coming out on the right side:

“It’s tough. It’s tough. We have to just keep fighting.”

On the Jaguars’ comeback in the second half and what it says about their performance in the first half:

“It’s a resilient group. Hats off. Some guys played banged up. [Jaguars OL] Brandon Scherff, my hat’s off to him. He played hurt all game. [Jaguars OL] Anton [Harrison] goes back into the game. It’s that time of the year. Guys are going to be sore and guys are going to be hurting. But my hat’s off to those guys for hanging in there.”

On Jaguars OL Cooper Hodges and OL Anton Harrison’s status:

“[Jaguars OL] Cooper [Hodges], I know they took him to the hospital just to check it out. But as far as that, that’s all I really know right now. And Anton came back.”

On slow starts and the Jaguars’ offensive identity at this point of the season:

“I’m not one to kind of settle on that. I’m going to keep working. I’m going to keep challenging players, and we have to get better. So I’m not going to settle on the fact that, you know, it is what it is, obviously, but, we’re going to roll up our sleeves and go to work and try to keep it moving and try to fix

On if there is something Pederson could try to address slow starts offensively that he has not already:

“I mean, I don’t want to — let me think. First down, second down, third down. Yeah, I guess we just need to coach better.”

On whether it comes down to execution and what the Jaguars can do better:

“Coach better.”

On the big plays the Jaguars had in the second half of the game:

“Those are just great plays. I mean, on the run it was a draw, and there were opportunities, but, you know, credit them. I mean they made the plays. A heck of a catch in the back of the end zone. Great run, yeah, good plays by them.”

On what the players’ attitude is after today’s game:

“They’re hurting. They’re disappointed like I am. Frustrated. So yeah.”

On how the Jaguars process the results from a close loss similar to last week: 

“Well, it’s hard to process when you lose, right? But I do think there are some great players out there. And that’s one of them, [Jaguars DE] Travon’s [Walker] play, obviously. We capitalize on two 2-point conversions in the game. So, there are some good plays, you know? It’s just not consistent enough.”

Pederson issues ‘day-to-day’ tags for handful of Jaguars injuries

Pederson issues ‘day-to-day’ tags for handful of Jaguars injuries

The Jaguars are banged up ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. They are navigating injuries to six starters suffered in Jacksonville’s Sunday loss to the Green Bay Packers, to pair with starting running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) missing the team’s last two games.

Cornerback Ronald Darby (hip), wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder), and offensive guards Brandon Scherff (knee) and Ezra Cleveland (ankle) evaded long-term injury in Week 8.

However, most of the group enters Week 9 “day-to-day,” per Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson.

“Darby’s good, Darby will be out there. [Thomas], we’ve just got to wait and see. He’s going to be day-to-day. Gabe’s going to be day-to-day. [Scherff is] day-to-day. Ezra, day-to-day, ankle. We’ll see how he is at the end of the week,” Pederson said.

The sixth starter to go down against the Packers, wide receiver Christian Kirk, suffered a season-ending broken collarbone, which was reported late Sunday.

Pederson suggested Etienne, who the head coach considered a game-time decision for each of Jacksonville’s last two games, is inching closer to returning to play this week.

“Yeah, should get him back,” Pederson said. “Looking forward to getting him out there and getting some reps, see how he feels.”

As Jacksonville kicks off its week of practice before facing Philadelphia, Pederson said the Jaguars are leaning on the development of their roster depth this past offseason as they manage their battered lineup.

“Next man up. I mean honestly, it’s easy as that,” Pederson said. “You know, the games are still going to come and the league is still going to continue on, and we’re going to continue on.

“We’ve got to coach. That’s why we develop guys in the offseason, you know, for opportunities like this. So, whether it’s a young player, a rookie, a vet or a practice squad elevation, we’re going to continue to coach everybody and get them prepared for each week.”

Doug Pederson addresses Jaguars OT swap vs. Packers

Doug Pederson addresses Jaguars OT swap vs. Packers

The Jaguars made a surprising change to their offensive line against the Packers in Week 8, opting to play Walker Little at left tackle over the position’s eight-season starter, Cam Robinson, despite the latter player being active and available.

Robinson spent most of last week in the NFL’s concussion protocol but was cleared in time for the game and was observed in pads before kickoff. Little filled in for Robinson after he suffered his concussion against the New England Patriots and held onto the job against the Green Bay Packers.

Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson mentioned Monday that he will continue to evaluate Little and Robinson in practice this week before determining who will start at left tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

“Undecided right now,” Pederson said Monday. “After the first couple series [Little] settled in and did some good things. We’ll see how it goes this week.”

But this story is about more than just an in-season position battle, especially as the Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline approaches, next Tuesday.

Mike Dempsey, the host of Jaguars Today on 1010XL, the Jaguars’ flagship radio station, reported Monday that Robinson was informed he would not start in Week 8 right before the game.

It was Jacksonville offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, not Pederson, who informed Robinson of the move, per Dempsey. He added that Robinson expressed frustration with the decision at the time.

“What I’m told is that Cam Robinson was pretty surprised not to be starting yesterday, and that he found out that he wasn’t starting from his offensive line coach, not his head coach. You know, he’s been a starter here for a long time, and may have voiced his displeasure about that decision,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey made the point that when the Jaguars lost left guard Ezra Cleveland for the rest of the Packers game due to an ankle injury, Jacksonville kept Robinson on the bench rather than utilize his experience, even though Little has playing experience at guard.

Second-year Jaguars lineman Cooper Hodges, who had one career offensive snap before Week 8, was inserted at guard instead.

“And you noticed later in the game, Ezra Cleveland leaves, you’re thinking, ‘Well, I know Walker Little’s not a great guard necessarily. But is our best option Cooper Hodges or is it to slide Walker Little in and put Cam Robinson, who has been your starter all year until he got a concussion last week?’ ” Dempsey pondered.

“And on top of that, Doug Pederson when asked about [injured running back] Travis Etienne Jr. was heard to say you can’t lose your job because of injury. Isn’t that how Walker Little got in, because of injury last week? So that’s a situation I think to keep an eye on over the next several days … I don’t know of anything in the works or anything like that. It just seems to me that, it wouldn’t surprise me if we got a change of scenery.”

Pederson denied knowledge of a spat between Robinson and Rauscher when asked about the interaction on Monday, suggesting he was unaware of any argument.

“Did you see one?” Pederson asked the inquiring reporter, who said they were also informed about the conversation. “Well, anytime you have a conversation, there’s words exchanged. No, that’d be news to me.”

Time will tell if Jacksonville and Robinson could be in for a split. But at a minimum, the Jaguars are currently considering their options at left tackle, with both Robinson and Little in the final season of their contracts with the club, the latter on his rookie deal.

Both have something to play for if they intend to stick with the Jaguars.

Doug Pederson updates Jaguars’ injuries vs. Packers

Doug Pederson updates Jaguars’ injuries vs. Packers

In addition to confirming a broken collarbone for wide receiver Christian Kirk and revealing receiver Brian Thomas Jr. avoided a major injury, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson on Monday shed light on Jacksonville’s other injuries from its 30-27 loss to Green Bay in Week 8.

Wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder), offensive guards Brandon Scherff (knee) and Ezra Cleveland (ankle), and cornerback Ronald Darby (hip) each got hurt during the game, with only Scherff returning to action before the final whistle.

“Gabe should be fine. Again, it was just the shoulder. He just lost some feeling in there and we were just kind of waiting for that to come back a little bit during the game. Sometimes those are funny things but should be fine,” Pederson explained about Davis, suggesting he aggravated a previous injury.

Davis was on Jacksonville’s injury report with a hurt shoulder between Weeks 4-5.

“Ezra, ankle. He will be probably, as of today, probably day-to-day going into the weekend,” Pederson continued. “Scherff came back. Scherff’s going to be sore. Tough guy. Battled. Came back, finished the game. Should be okay for this weekend. Darby will be more day-to-day.”

The Jaguars return to practice Wednesday ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the Eagles in Philadelphia. Jacksonville’s next batch of injury updates will come out following that session.