The Jacksonville Jaguars will rely on one of the NFL’s youngest rosters in 2022 to turn their franchise’s fortunes around. With a mix of elite first and second year players looking to make an impact on both sides of the ball, and in the first year under a new coaching staff, it will be a challenge for the team to prepare for each game the same way a more seasoned roster would.
Head coach Doug Pederson has been tasked with getting the green-horn members of Jacksonville’s squad ready for the new season, and he told reporters on Wednesday how difficult it can be to keep everyone on the same page.
Speaking from the wealth of knowledge he gained as a player in the 1990’s, Pederson explained the range of emotions a young player feels, and how he looks to help mitigate any weaknesses that the inexperienced Jaguars might have.
“It’s hard,” Pederson said. “You can talk to them and kind of express your experiences there. Of course, these guys have been through their own opening days, but these are a little bit different at this level. They will handle it. The vets on the team can also sort of share their experiences, cast a light, but it’s how we handle our emotions, too, early in the football game. You don’t want to expend a lot of energy early, make sure you can control that and can play for 60 minutes.”
Between Trevor Lawrence and Travon Walker, both sides of the ball will rely on the contributions of players who are still coming into their own. Though Jacksonville has a fair number of veterans on their roster, and a coaching staff chock-full of former players, nothing can get a team back in form like full-speed regular season snaps.
Pederson’s response to any adversity brought on by his team’s inexperience in Week 1 will be a barometer for his chances of success in Duval County long term, and perhaps the Jaguars’ viability as an AFC South contender this season.