The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Doug Pederson, a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, as their new head coach. Pederson, who spent the 2021 season out of football, was the first head coaching candidate the Jaguars interviewed.
He had a 42-37-1 record in five seasons with the Eagles, leading them to three playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory in 2017. Pederson’s most critical job will be to continue the development of franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars have the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year in this April’s NFL Draft after finishing with a NFL-worst 3-14 record. The hiring comes 49 days after the team fired Urban Meyer and 35 days after Pederson first interviewed with the Jaguars.
Meyer was dismissed from his position as Jacksonville’s head coach after a 2-11 start to his first season. His tenure was marked by both on-field and off-field issues. Following his firing, Meyer expressed his regret to Jacksonville, stating that he loved the city and that the opportunity to coach there was one of the reasons he took the job. He also praised the team’s owner, Shad Khan, and expressed his belief that Jacksonville would eventually become a destination place for football. Meyer had signed a five-year contract with the Jaguars prior to the season.
Meyer conveyed that losing can have a profound impact on one’s spirit, stating that it takes a toll on everyone involved. He reflected on a period of positive momentum with two wins out of three games, highlighting the team’s energy and strong defensive performance.
However, he noted that the momentum shifted when their running game faltered, leading to turnovers. The situation was further complicated by an injury to James Robinson following a bye week.
Jim Caldwell is expected to be interviewed by the Jaguars, according to La Canfora. Both Caldwell and Pederson have distinct personalities and demeanors compared to the recently dismissed Urban Meyer, who struggled to adapt to the NFL during his first season. The Jaguars are reportedly interested in their extensive NFL experience, with Pederson’s background as a former NFL quarterback being particularly appealing.
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