The New York Giants have announced that they will keep both head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, similar to the Miami Dolphins, who are also retaining head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier as they look to build on recent accomplishments.
In stark contrast, the Jacksonville Jaguars have decided to dismiss head coach Doug Pederson after a disappointing 4-13 record in the 2024 NFL season. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Jaguars have officially parted ways with Pederson after three seasons at the helm. This decision comes right after the regular season ends, a time typically associated with multiple coaching changes across the league aimed at revitalizing teams.
Pederson’s dismissal marks him as the second head coach to be let go following Week 18; the New England Patriots also fired Jerod Mayo after just one season the previous Sunday. Pederson concludes his time with the Jaguars holding a 22-29 record since taking over as head coach before the 2022 season. Although he led the team to the Divisional Round of the playoffs in his first year, Jacksonville has struggled to maintain that level of performance, failing to qualify for the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024.
While the Jaguars have moved on from Pederson, they have chosen to retain general manager Trent Baalke. Team owner Shad Khan noted that he intends to work with Baalke “to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville.” This suggests that the Jaguars still have high aspirations and are seeking a new head coach who can effectively lead the team forward.
Khan had previously stated in July that he believed the 2024 roster was “the best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars ever,” bolstered by the talent of former No. 1 overall pick quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence had signed a hefty five-year, $275 million contract extension ahead of the 2024 season, raising expectations for him and the entire team.
However, expectations were not met during Pederson’s tenure, particularly after he handed over play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Press Taylor. This strategic choice proved ineffective, resulting in the Jaguars finishing the 2024 season ranked 25th in total yards, 21st in passing, and a disappointing 26th in scoring. Trevor Lawrence’s performance also slipped; he recorded only 2,045 passing yards, along with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and his season was disrupted by a shoulder injury and ultimately cut short due to a concussion.
It’s important to remember that Pederson previously experienced considerable success with the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to the playoffs in three of five seasons and famously winning Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. This past success likely set high expectations for his role in Jacksonville, making his recent firing quite significant as the franchise strives to reposition itself within the competitive NFL landscape. As they search for a new head coach, the direction and future of the Jaguars will hinge on this critical decision, potentially shaping their path moving forward.
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