Jacksonville Jaguars News & Rumors

As the 2024 season has progressed, the Jaguars’ continued struggles have led to an strong sense of head coach Doug Pederson dismissal being likely. That would certainly not come as a surprise at this point, especially given the sentiment of his assistants.

Many members of Pederson’s staff have been “preparing as though they’ll need new jobs” once the season ends, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones writes. Jones, like many others, adds Pederson is viewed as being a lock to be dismissed as early as tonight. Likewise, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on Sunday morning’s NFL Countdown that Pederson is among the coaches seen as not being safe with respect to firing decisions (video link).

The most recent updates on the matter suggested firing Pederson was not necessarily a guarantee, but taking into account owner Shad Khan‘s optimism about the 2024 season he will no doubt be dissatisfied with the results of the campaign. That could also lead to general manager Trent Baalke being replaced, although Khan’s quiet stance on the situation has left it unclear how he will proceed on that front. Jones confirms the expectation around the league remains that Baalke – in place since 2021 – will be fired.

Offensive coordinator Press Taylor has been in place since Pederson’s arrival in 2022, reuniting with the Super Bowl winner after their shared time in Philadelphia. Baalke reportedly urged Pederson to fire Taylor after last season, one in which the Jaguars collapsed during the second half of the campaign. Injuries to quarterback Trevor Lawrence and receiver Christian Kirk (among others) have hampered Jacksonville’s offense this year, but Taylor’s name will certainly be one to watch if Pederson is fired. Major changes were made on the defensive side of the ball last offseason, but those did not produce the desired results either.

Jones adds Jaguars assistants have been “demoralized” during the closing weeks of the campaign, one which ended Sunday afternoon with an overtime loss to the Colts. Khan could very well react with sweeping changes, in which case adding a new head coach and quickly filling out the rest of the staff will become a priority. Khan has not made contact with potential candidates at this point, but Jones notes a search firm will likely be brought in presuming Pederson’s tenure comes to an end.

As Black Monday approaches, the Jaguars are among the teams to watch closely after a 4-13 season. Further signs point to a head coaching change, and many other positions on staff could soon be open.

JANUARY 4: It still remains to be seen if one or both members of the Pederson-Baalke pairing will be let go soon, but a change in the front office could be needed if Khan targets a notable coaching move. Schultz reports many around the league believe firing Baalke will be a requirement for the top HC candidates to consider the Jacksonville gig, provided it becomes available. The Jaguars will remain one of the teams worth watching closely once the regular season ends.

JANUARY 3: One of the NFL’s two active second-chance GMs has overseen one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams. After authorizing the three most lucrative extensions in Jaguars history (for Trevor Lawrence, Josh Hines-Allen and Tyson Campbell), Trent Baalke has seen the team tumble to a 4-12 record.

It would seem likely Doug Pederson is heading into his final game as Jags HC, based on the unraveling that has taken place since December 2023, but Shad Khan has not made any clear indications about which way he is leaning. Many around the NFL expect Pederson to be fired, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, but the former Super Bowl-winning HC may have a sliver of hope to stay.

Pederson has been “projecting confidence,” according to some in the NFL, Fowler adds. With the Jags following back-to-back 9-8 seasons with a campaign that can max out at just five wins, it would be difficult to overstate how hot Pederson’s seat would be if Khan gave him another chance.

Then again, Khan kept Gus Bradley on for a fourth season after he had strung together three straight years with at least 11 losses. Doug Marrone also coached four full seasons, having finished with double-digit losses in three of those. By that standard, firing Pederson would represent a quick hook. Then again, more was expected from Lawrence-centered Pederson teams — especially over the past two seasons.

The longtime Jags owner said before the season this year’s team carried the most talented roster in franchise history. Even in the moment, that appeared to significantly underrate the franchise’s late-1990s rosters, but Khan making that comment only to see what has transpired points to Pederson being days away from an ouster. Baalke is undoubtedly on thin ice, too, though he has survived after being at risk of an in-season dismissal. Khan had projected confidence in his power duo, doing so around the same time John Mara professed support for his. Both the Jags and Giants have moved toward the No. 1 overall pick in the weeks since.

Promoted to GM during Urban Meyer‘s disastrous year in charge, Baalke was given the green light to hire Pederson in 2022. In mid-December, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz predicted the Jags would stay the course with Baalke. Considering Baalke has been in Jacksonville for both the franchise’s recent No. 1 overall picks — which featured a Travon Walker-over-Aidan Hutchinson call — it would be somewhat surprising if Khan did not clear the decks in hopes of hiring a new regime to better maximize his roster.

Most around the NFL expect Baalke to be canned, but Fowler adds some league personnel are pointing to the former 49ers GM’s resiliency in reminding not to assume this is a lock. Baalke memorably won a power struggle with Jim Harbaugh, leading the latter to Michigan after the 2014 season. The 49ers’ fortunes significantly worsened in the two years Baalke operated without Harbaugh, and the GM was fired after the ’16 campaign. This Jags effort has not provided the kind of bounce-back offering Khan hoped for when appointing Baalke to the GM post.

The relationship between Baalke and Pederson was believed to be strained as early as September, and a subsequent report had Baalke urging Pederson to fire OC Press Taylor — a Pederson lieutenant in Philadelphia and Jacksonville — after last season. Pederson kept Taylor on and continued with him calling plays. That decision has played a role in the Jags’ descent, though other factors — Lawrence’s injuries among them — have been part of this tumble as well. Will Sunday be it for Pederson and Baalke in Jacksonville or will one of them continue on without the other?