Jaguars QB Trevor LawrenceMitchell Leff/Getty Images
While the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t make the playoffs in 2023, they did reach the postseason the previous year. They also had an 8-3 record last year before Trevor Lawrence began battling injuries and the season spiraled.
With a healthy Lawrence back behind center, Jacksonville was expected to at least be relevant in the AFC South. It hasn’t been, and now the signal-caller is injured again (AC joint). Even when he was healthy, though, the Jags weren’t good, and there’s a real chance another regime change could be incoming.
There were rumors head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke could be out during this week’s bye.
“The Jaguars, mired in a miserable rut after losing four of their last five games, might be looking at another regime change for 2025, and sources say a dramatic move could come as soon as this week, pending the results of Sunday’s game against the Lions,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport wrote on Saturday.
While Jacksonville hasn’t exactly been a consistently successful franchise, it could attract some quality coaching candidates this offseason. On paper, it has a strong roster and a franchise quarterback in Lawrence.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on the Scoop City podcast (h/t Bleacher Report’s Doric Sam) that Belichick “has his eye” on the Jaguars.
If they can find a coach who can get a bit more out of the roster, and they can keep Lawrence on the field, they’ll have a chance to improve significantly.
The Jags are in a fairly good spot financially, as they’re projected to have $58 million in 2025 cap space. They don’t have many key players headed to free agency, so there will be an opportunity to improve areas like the secondary.
Jacksonville ranks 31st in passing yards allowed, 32nd in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 32nd in passing touchdowns allowed.
The Jaguars have looked and played like legitimate contenders when things have gone well under Pederson. As he did before as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach, though, the 56-year-old has struggled to keep his team on track.
Change is needed at the top, but a strong core is in place, and the Jags are only one year removed from a nine-win season. They could be back to that level, or higher, with the right hires next year.
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