The Jaguars have fired coach Doug Pederson.
Pederson, in his third season with the franchise, oversaw a disappointing 4-13 record this past regular season, with the team also losing 18 of its last 23 games.
Now, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pederson is out of a job as he was axed by the franchise on the NFL’s ‘Black Monday.’
Pederson led the Jaguars to the playoffs in his first season in charge, but ultimately ended his Jacksonville tenure with a 22-29 record – as quarterback and 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence regressed.
In a statement announcing the move, Jaguars owner Shad Khan called Pederson an ‘accomplished football man’ and also indicated that GM Trent Baalke would be retained.
‘I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars,’ Khan began.
‘Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives. As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now.
Doug Pederson was fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars on the NFL’s ‘Black Monday’
The Jaguars concluded the regular season with a 26-23 loss to the Colts on Sunday
‘I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago. I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville.’
Pederson arrived in Jacksonville after spending five years in the same role with the Eagles, leading the franchise to their first Super Bowl triumph in the 2017 postseason.
However, he was let go towards the end of the 2020 season with the team just 4-11-1 that year.
He previously served as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator as well from 2013-15.
The decision from Jaguars owner Shahid Khan comes a day after Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement announcing the firing of head coach Jerod Mayo – just minutes after a Week 18 win over the Bills.
There are now five head coaching vacancies in the NFL, with the Jets, Saints and Bears looking for new head coaches in addition to the Jags and Patriots.
The Giants, who will pick No. 3 in the upcoming draft, announced they are retaining both head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen following a 3-14 season.
The Dolphins, who also missed the playoffs at 8-9, will also be keeping head coach Mike McDaniel.
More to follow
