Jaguars Fire OC Nathaniel Hackett
The Jaguars fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Jaguars are 28th in points scored this season and they believe the offensive play calling is at least partially to blame.
The Jaguars dropped to 3-8 on Sunday with their loss to the Bills. Leonard Fournette averaged 5.3 yards and gave the Jags two of their three scores, but it wasn’t enough to pull out the win. The loss pushed them from extremely unlikely to make the playoffs to mathematical elimination and that led to the firing of their OC.
Some would argue that Hackett has not been given the right personnel in Jacksonville, starting with quarterback Blake Bortles. Bortles completed just 12-of-23 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. After the game, head coach Doug Marrone said that he did not consider making a QB change, but the club did feel the need to shake up the staff.
“We would like to thank Nathaniel for his hard work and dedication to the Jaguars organization, and we wish him and his family the best moving forward,” Marrone said in a statement. “These are always tough decisions, but as the head coach, I have to do what I think is best for this football team.”
Hackett joined the Jaguars as their quarterbacks coach in 2015 and took over as offensive coordinator midway through the 2016 season. The Jaguars finished sixth in total offense and first in rushing offense last year, but have been unable to reprise that performance in 2018.
Hackett served under Marrone at Syracuse University and with the Bills, so it’s not clear whether this was a decision made by Marrone or by the higher-ups with the Jaguars. In either case, the pressure is on in Jacksonville, and Marrone is far from safe this offseason.
Fournette Not Expected To Be Suspended
- Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette was ejected from the team’s loss to the Bills today as part of a brawl that broke out between the two sides, and there was initially some concern he might be suspended. However, Fournette is not expected to be suspended, a source told Florio. The Jaguars’ season is quickly circling the drain at 3-8, and they can’t afford to be without Fournette for any period of time right now.
Doug Marrone Not On Hot Seat
- Although the Jaguars are in the midst of a hugely disappointing season, Rapoport says that head coach Doug Marrone is not on the hot seat and is in no danger of losing his job at the moment (video link).
Jaguars Cut QB Landry Jones
Landry Jones‘ short time in Jacksonville has come to an end. On Monday, the Jaguars released the quarterback, according to a team announcement. 
The Jaguars signed Jones on Halloween for insurance after Blake Bortles suffered a left shoulder injury. Now that Bortles is in the clear, the Jaguars felt comfortable enough to release Jones, leaving Cody Kessler as the team’s only backup QB.
Up until the Jags deal, Jones spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers. In a limited sample of playing time, Jones completed 64% of his throws with eight touchdowns against seven interceptions. Among the quarterbacks who have thrown at least 160 passes since 2013, Jones ranks 35th in passer rating and 26th in adjusted net yards per attempt, but it’s difficult to assign much relevance to those numbers given his lack of reps.
To fill Jones’ place on the roster, the Jags signed offensive lineman Corey Robinson. The fourth-year pro has 24 career games to his credit, including eight starts.
Jaguars To Attempt To Trade Jalen Ramsey?
Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey is undoubtedly one of the most talented corners in the NFL, but his brash and outspoken nature is apparently wearing thin in Jacksonville. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Jags will seek to trade Ramsey — who was named a First Team All-Pro last season and who can be controlled through 2020 — this offseason.
The team suspended Ramsey for a week during the preseason due to “violating team rules and [engaging in] conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars’ football player,” and that suspension appeared to stem from a series of tweets attacking media members for their criticism of then-teammate Dante Fowler. Ramsey is no stranger to controversial statements, however, as he has repeatedly made headlines for his vocal opinions about himself and opposing players.
But while he has every right to be confident, and while Jacksonville doubtlessly appreciates his self-esteem, the club does not like the way that confidence is manifesting itself. One league source said he “absolutely” believes the team will try to trade Ramsey, while another NFL GM said he would not be surprised if the club elects to go that route.
The Jaguars, predictably, are vehemently denying the rumor and have released the following statement: “The Jaguars have zero intention of trading CB Jalen Ramsey. There is no truth to this rumor.”
If Ramsey were to be traded, his behavior would probably not do much to dampen interest in his services. As ESPN’s Field Yates tweets, Ramsey’s talent and his favorable contract status — he is due just $3.6MM next year before his fifth-year option would kick in for 2020 — would be seriously tempting to all 31 other teams in the league.
The Jags are in the midst of a five-game losing streak and have been one of the biggest disappointments in the league after narrowly missing a trip to the Super Bowl last season. Today’s report, if true, would not do much to make Jacksonville fans any happier about the way this year has gone.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DL Aziz Shittu
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Dee Delaney
- Released: LB Richard Jarvis
New York Giants
- Signed: S Kenny Ladler
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S J.T. Gray
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Cameron Malveaux
Washington Redskins
- Signed: C Casey Dunn
- Released: RB Mack Brown
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/18
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: S Eddie Pleasant
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: CB D.J. Killings
- Placed on IR: DE Carroll Phillips
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Martrell Spaight
- Waived: CB Dee Delaney
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: DT Cameron Malveaux
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: S J.T. Gray
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Kevin Minter
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Dare Ogunbowale
- Placed on IR: OL Evan Dietrich-Smith, RB Shaun Wilson
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Dalyn Dawkins
- Waived: FB Jalston Fowler
Jaguars Bring Back G Patrick Omameh
Patrick Omameh‘s bid to be a long-term fixture on the Giants’ offensive line did not work out, but his former team will give him another opportunity.
The Jaguars agreed to terms with the free agent guard on Tuesday. Omameh had cleared waivers after the Giants cut him on Saturday. With the Jags, however, Omameh played well enough to command a three-year, $15MM contract.
Omameh’s six starts in New York did not go well. Like Ereck Flowers, the 29-year-old blocker could not keep his job up front for the struggling Giants. Only two of New York’s starting offensive linemen from Week 1 remain in the lineup.
Jacksonville added Andrew Norwell via then-guard-record $13MM-AAV contract, which paved a path for Omameh out of north Florida in March. But the team isn’t in as strong of shape up front as it appeared to be then.
Amid a rough season, the Jags have sent four linemen to IR, including starters Brandon Linder and Cam Robinson. Omameh, a former UDFA out of Michigan, started 20 games for the Jags from 2015-16. He started all three of Jacksonville’s playoff games as well, so at worst he represents a depth piece familiar with the Jags’ offense.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/13/18
Here’s the latest from the workout circuit. All links go to NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account, unless otherwise noted.
Arizona Cardinals
- LB Thurston Armbrister, LB Terence Garvin, CB Leonard Johnson, T Rick Leonard, S Dexter McCoil, DT Tyrunn Walker (link)
Detroit Lions
- LB Azeem Victor (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Kivon Cartwright, TE Je’Ron Hamm, TE Nick Keizer, CB Reggie Porter, LB Anthony Winbush (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- DE Geneo Grissom, DT David Parry, DT Elijah Qualls, T Menelik Watson (Twitter link via Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan)
New Orleans Saints
- DT Michael Bennett, DT Sealver Siliga, DE Phil Taylor, DL Jerel Worthy (link)
New York Jets
- WR Tanner McEvoy, LB Corey Nelson, DE Marcus Smith, DL Destiny Vaeao, TE Hakeem Valles (link)
Oakland Raiders
- S Afolabi Aguda, WR Rashard Davis, WR Josh Huff, WR Charles Johnson, P Drew Kaser, S Tray Matthews, S Stephen Roberts, QB Alek Torgersen, WR Griff Whalen, S J.J. Wilcox (link)
Tennessee Titans
- WR Daniel Braverman, WR Quan Bray, OLB/DE Kasim Edebali, DE Terrence Fede, CB Dontae Johnson, CB Mike Jordan, CB Ashton Lampkin, CB Jeremiah McKinnon, OLB/DE Nate Orchard, QB Nic Shimonek, WR ArDarius Stewart, TE Tyrone Swoopes, LB John Timu, RB Charcandrick West (link)
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/18
Today’s minor moves will be posted here:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: C Gino Gradkowski
Detroit Lions:
- Waived: CB Lenzy Pipkins
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Ben Koyack
- Waived: TE David Grinnage
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Matthew Dayes
- Waived: S Tyvis Powell