Doug Pederson has been fired.
For much of the season, it has felt like an if, not when.
Finally, Shad Khan has turned the lights out on the Doug Pederson era after the end of the regular season, with a final 23-20 overtime loss against the Indianapolis Colts sealing his fate.
Earlier in the season, I mentioned my surprise that he was still there after the bye week. I think it was more a matter of optics and timing.
Now, we wait for news on who is next and what this could mean for the future of the Jaguars.
While we wait for a new head coach, I think it is important to appreciate the milestones the Jaguars achieved under the leadership of Pederson.
Improbable playoff run
At the end of 2021, Pederson would have walked into a dressing room in disarray after the Urban Meyer experiment.
He must have thought it was an improbable task based on the 3-14 record in the 2021 regular season, coupled with the atmosphere.
To achieve what he did, mainly winning the AFC South and reaching the divisional round in the playoffs, was a remarkable turnaround for a team that was completely dysfunctional in the season prior.
While we can all agree that the last two seasons have not been what we hoped for, I think we have to remember that the results on the field are just one element of a head coach’s role.
Yes, it is the primary thing they are judged on, and rightly so. However, the amount of rebuilding that Pederson has done since has been a herculean effort. It is one that Jags fans should not take for granted.
As we go into the off season, we go in with a fresh start and a new outlook.
Most would agree that a change in leadership was necessary. But this could have significant ramifications for both roster and style of football.
