For now, at least, Jaguars OC Press Taylor is still the team’s offensive play-caller. Mia O’Brien of 1010 XL noted prior to last night’s preseason opener against the Chiefs that Taylor would call the plays in that contest, and that he would do so from the field as opposed to the booth.
In 2022, Doug Pederson’s first year as Jacksonville’s head coach, Pederson himself handled play-calling duties, and the Jags finished 10th in the league in both points and total offense. Pederson handed the reins to Taylor in advance of the 2023 season, and the club slipped to 13th in both categories and 18th in DVOA. Plus, quarterback Trevor Lawrence did not take the step forward that many anticipated (though that did not stop Lawrence from securing a massive extension in June, which is more of a testament to the exploding QB market than the former Clemson star’s performance to date).
This offseason, GM Trent Baalke was rumored to be taking a hard look into the state of the club’s offense, and Taylor in particular. Obviously, both Pederson and Taylor remain in their respective posts, though the 2024 season will be pivotal for the Duval County futures of the HC/OC duo. Owner Shad Khan made some pointed comments on the matter back in June.
Referencing a New York Times piece alluding to Pederson’s job security, Khan said, “if I were in that situation, I’d want my hands on the wheel. But I don’t want to tell people ‘we need to do it’ because then things don’t work out, they look at me and say, ‘we did it because you wanted it.’ … Doug, he’s empowered. I’m going to let him decide.”
O’Brien did not indicate whether Pederson has even considered a reprisal of his role as play-caller, and it would qualify as something of a surprise if he did, given his steadfast loyalty to Taylor. Indeed, when he was serving as the Eagles’ head coach, Pederson reportedly wanted to promote Taylor – who was Philadelphia’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at the time – to offensive coordinator following the 2020 season. Pederson’s disagreements with team brass in that regard led to a mutual parting of the ways just two years after he stewarded the Eagles to their first and only Super Bowl title.
Pederson’s only recent comments about Taylor’s duties pertained to his protege’s move to the field from the booth. “You feel connected to the game a little more [on the field],” Pederson said. “Early in my career, I was in the box as well. Little more challenging up there.”
Nothing about that, of course, indicates that Pederson is contemplating a more dramatic change.
