JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars are the league’s worst team coming off the worst loss in franchise history. Speculation is running rampant on the futures of head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke.
Pederson said that he’s still weighing changes to the team and everything would be analyzed during this week’s bye. As the Jaguars enter their bye week at 2-9, both Baalke and Pederson remain employed by the Jaguars, much to the dismay of Jacksonville fans near and far. Will Pederson make any changes on either side of the ball?
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“Let’s put it this way. Everything’s on the table. Let’s leave it at that,” he said.
A better question may be will Jaguars owner Shad Khan force Pederson into changes?
National media reports by Ian Rapoport and Josina Anderson over the weekend suggested that changes in the organization were looming and could be accelerated by what happened in the Lions game. The Jaguars endured a 52-6 blowout to Detroit, the biggest loss in franchise history.
Pederson said that he spoke to Khan after the loss but wouldn’t confirm if he had any further meetings with Khan scheduled this week. The offense has been erratic with offensive coordinator Press Taylor calling plays. The defense under first-year coordinator Ryan Nielsen has been one of the league’s worst. Pederson was asked point blank if he needed permission to fire Nielsen or if he needed to go through Khan and Baalke to do so.
“I think you got to be really, really careful when you start pointing fingers at certain people. It’s a dangerous thing and I’m not going to do that. Not doing it. Not right now,” he said. “… As a head coach in this league that’s going through what we’re going through you’re pointing a finger, and if it’s going to be pointed, it needs to be pointed at me. Start with me. That’s enough on that.”
Khan has remained quiet throughout the disappointment of the season but the vibe remains sullen across the franchise as Jacksonville limps into a much-needed off week. Pederson repeated just how worn down the Jaguars are after 11 weeks of football, the lowlight coming Sunday where the defense allowed 643 yards, the second-most in franchise history.
“I think all of that from a team perspective, not just the defense, but a team perspective, the guys are tired. The guys are mentally and physically fatigued,” Pederson said. “This is a good time to step away and take a break and recharge for the last six games.”
In addition to its colossal underachievement on the field, Jacksonville has been ravaged by injuries. Receiver Christian Kirk (collarbone) was lost for the season during a loss to the Packers. Disappointing free agent receiver Gabe Davis suffered a knee injury against the Lions and will miss the rest of the year, Pederson said Monday. That leaves rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and second-year receiver Parker Washington as the top two receivers.
Impact starters like Ezra Cleveland, Foye Oluokun, Tyson Campbell and Evan Engram have missed multiple games due to injury. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s status remains up in the air. He suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in a loss to the Eagles and has missed the last two games. Mac Jones has replaced Lawrence and been dreadful. Jones is 31 for 51 passing for 249 yards, three interceptions and a lost fumble. The offense has mustered just 13 points in those games and has gone seven consecutive quarters without a touchdown.
If Lawrence can return after the bye week without risking further injury, the Jaguars can potentially stack a few wins. They have two games against Tennessee (2-8) and games against the Raiders (2-8) and the Jets (3-8). After Week 11, the Jaguars hold the No. 1 pick the draft, the Titans No. 2, the Raiders No. 4 and the Jets at No. 7. They also have games against the AFC South-leading Texans (6-4) and Colts (5-6).
“I think where we are, the best thing is just cut them loose,” Pederson said of the bye week. “Let them start getting healthy. Let them get fresh. Get away. Get away from me. I’ll get away from them, you know, type thing, and enjoy the week.”