The Jaguars came into this season with high hopes, but let’s face it—things have gone completely off the rails. At 2-8, Jacksonville isn’t just struggling; they’re tied for the worst record in the NFL. Now, they’re staring down a matchup against the 8-1 Detroit Lions, one of the league’s best teams. If the Jags lose—and let’s be honest, they probably will—it could be the end of the line for head coach Doug Pederson.
Once hailed as the guy who could turn this franchise around, Pederson is now feeling the heat. The Jaguars’ freefall has fans frustrated, and insiders speculating that a loss this Sunday might finally push ownership to make a change. Let’s dive into what’s gone wrong, why Pederson’s job is at risk, and how Sunday’s game could shake up the team’s future.
A Season in Freefall
Expectations were sky-high for Pederson’s Jaguars after two consecutive 9-8 seasons, including a playoff win in 2022. The momentum from that season gave fans hope for a resurgence, but the reality has been starkly different. Jacksonville’s struggles on both sides of the ball have left the team floundering, with losses piling up and no signs of a turnaround.
Sunday’s matchup against Detroit presents a significant challenge. The Lions, one of the NFC’s top teams, are heavy favorites. If Jacksonville falls short, it will mark the first time under Pederson that the team has suffered nine losses in a season, underscoring their rapid decline.
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Will the Jaguars Fire Doug Pederson?
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Pederson’s job is in serious trouble. A loss to the Lions could force Jacksonville’s hand, particularly with the team’s bye week following Week 11. The timing would provide the franchise with a natural window to transition to an interim head coach and begin planning for the future.
If Pederson is let go, quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy is reportedly a leading candidate to take over on an interim basis. McCoy brings head coaching experience from his time with the Chargers, where he posted a 27-37 record from 2013 to 2016.
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The speculation doesn’t stop with Pederson. Rapoport also suggested that general manager Trent Baalke’s job is far from safe. Baalke and Pederson have spent the past three seasons attempting to rebuild the Jaguars, but with the team regressing this year, major changes may be on the horizon.
Doug Pederson’s Coaching Journey: A Career of Highs and Lows
Doug Pederson’s coaching career has been full of ups and downs. He led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl win in 2017, reaching the pinnacle of the NFL, but inconsistency has defined his time in Jacksonville.
Pederson appeared to have the franchise on the upswing after a promising first season in 2022, when the Jaguars turned a 3-14 record into a 9-8 finish. However, cracks began to show in 2023 as the team collapsed late in the season, finishing 1-5 over their final six games and missing the playoffs. Those struggles have carried into 2024, with Jacksonville failing to find its footing and enduring one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
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