Jaguars struggling but Doug Pederson says players ‘haven’t checked out’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The playoffs are all but out of reach and the Jaguars are achieving new lows almost weekly. The franchise quarterback has a shoulder injury that makes his immediate availability a question mark.

Can anything be salvaged from a disastrous season for Doug Pederson and the Jaguars? Pederson said that with the disappointment of the season, he tries to emphasize the positives to players and continue to work on the issues, of which there are many.

“Yes. 100%. I think our goals and everything are right in front of us. Despite the mistakes and the losses, obviously. It’s a crazy business and it can change for us in a hurry the other way and get positive in a quick way,” Pederson said. “But the guys haven’t checked out whatsoever. They put in the time during the week. It’s hard. You hurt for the guys because you just see how much they put into it. And then they’re not rewarded for it.”

Jacksonville is battling but the results haven’t followed. Its defense had three takeaways on against the Vikings and held them the four field goals. But the offense turned in a historically inept performance with just 143 yards in a 12-7 loss to the Vikings in Week 10.

Trevor Lawrence missed just the second start in his career and Mac Jones got the start. The former star at Bolles had a rushing touchdown in the first quarter but was ineffective after that. Jones finished 14 of 22 passing for 111 yard and three turnovers, all in the final seven minutes of the game. The team hasn’t been great with Lawrence, but Jones didn’t provide the spark many were expecting.

“There’s some things that he’d want back, obviously, the two interceptions, the fumble,” Pederson said of Jones. “I mean, those are things that we can’t do, right? Especially at the end of the game. If he gets an opportunity this week, I know he’ll be better. Another opportunity, another week of work. He’ll learn from it, obviously. He takes it hard, takes it personal, which he should. We all do. But we still have a ton of confidence in him.”

Lawrence’s immediate future is a bit unclear now after missing the Vikings game with a problem in his left shoulder.

“It’s hard to tell right now. We’ve still got a couple of days,” Pederson said. “I don’t have any definite answers right now.”

Is playing a banged-up Lawrence the best decision for the long-term future for Jacksonville? Its playoff chances are down to 2%, according to ESPN, and a trip to the 8-1 Lions looms on Sunday. The bye week follows for the Jaguars and the intensity of the job speculation is going to go through the roof if Jacksonville locks in a losing season. Since last year’s 8-3 start, Pederson and the Jaguars are 3-13.

Would owner Shad Khan consider a change on the coaching staff or in the general manager role during the season? Historically, Khan has been relatively patient, but he has pulled the plug before on struggling regimes.

Khan fired head coach Gus Bradley in 2016 after a 2-12 start (and 14-48 career record). He fired general manager Dave Caldwell during the team’s 1-10 start in 2020, a season where the Jaguars went a franchise-worst 1-15. Khan dismissed executive vice president Tom Coughlin in 2019 after a scathing report from the NFL Player’s Association, less than a year after Coughlin and the Jaguars reached the AFC title game. And then there was the trainwreck of Urban Meyer’s 2-11 start in 2021 and his midnight firing.

Pederson has back-to-back nine-win seasons and a playoff win but things have spiraled since the mid-point of 2023. General manager Trent Baalke’s tenure has been highlighted by extreme highs and lows, but the roster deficiencies are tough to overlook. Pederson said no one has given up on the season and he’s quick to remind players of the positives.

“You show them where we are. You show them our division, you show them what’s left on the schedule, and you try to stay positive. I still feel like it’s a great opportunity for us as a team,” Pederson said. “We’ve got to figure out how to win a game. I’ll tell you this: the guys don’t quit. You saw it again yesterday. … Guys are continuing to battle.”