Doug

Pederson

Pederson said earlier this year that he needs to consider taking back play-calling duties in 2024 after the team struggled at various points during the season. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor, who was hired by the team in 2022, was tasked with most of the play-calling duties last season, but it sounds like Pederson is ready to take back the reins this season. We’ll learn more about this as the offseason progresses, but don’t rule out Pederson having more say in the plays come Week 1.

The Jacksonville offense, after another lousy first half against the Texans, came out firing in the second half, scoring on three of their first four possessions. That sparked speculation that Pederson had taken play calling duties away from offensive coordinator Press Taylor. “I communicated with Press and the offensive staff, you know, no more or less than I usually do,” Pederson said. “I think grabbing their attention at halftime and just letting them know that the first 30 minutes was unacceptable. It’s not up to what our standards are and our expectations, including my expectations for this football team.” If the Jaguars offense continues to struggle — they’re 29th in EPA per play — look for Pederson to get more involved with the direction of the unit.

“The problem,” the anonymous coach continues, “I’m not sure there’s a No. 1 overall offensive tackle in this class.” Aidan Hutchinson has been the betting favorite for the No. 1 spot for a solid month at this point. The Jaguars have also been attached to some Travon Walker rumors at the spot. Going offense would likely lead to offensive linemen Evan Neal and Ikem Ekwonu.

Rapoport noted that Doug Pederson “has been impressive and Khan doesn’t want to impede significant progress with a new voice.” Pederson was fired after a power struggle in Philly and is already making moves within the Jacksonville organization. It sounds like he will have a strong say in high-level decisions. Rapoport did add that the team is “still moving forward on their search for an assistant GM under Trent Baalke and may hire other personnel jobs.” Baalke has the final say on all major decisions but Pederson’s influence is growing rapidly.

Pederson will have a much more hands-on approach to the Jaguars offense than departing head coach Urban Meyer. For example, he is expected to know which of his players are on the field in a given game. He is also expected to call plays. Pederson was the Eagles’ play-caller for most of his tenure, handing off some of the responsibility in 2020, as the wheels came off the Carson Wentz-era Eagles. Much of Pederson’s appeal as a head coaching candidate was his ability to build an offense that will suit Trevor Lawrence. It makes sense that he will be calling the plays for that offense as well.

It’s a surprisingly good outcome to what had been a chaotic search to replace Urban Meyer, one that seemed poise to result in Bucs OC Byron Leftwich’s hiring until talks broke down over Leftwich’s rumored refusal to work with GM Trent Baalke. Now Baalke appears likely to be sidelined by ex-Vikings GM Rick Spielman, who like Pederson’s former boss Howie Roseman is a wheeler-dealer type. A Super Bowl-winning head coach with Nick Foles, Pederson fell out of favor in Philly due to a variety of factors, including his supposedly underwhelming suggestions to improve his coaching staff following a disappointing 2020 season. He is still a retread chance worth taking for a franchise that has made one underwhelming hire after another after having just two head coaches the first 16 years of its existence. Having molded Carson Wentz before watching him break down, Pederson will be a good mentor for Trevor Lawrence after his concerning rookie year.

The MMQB’s Albert Breer added that Pederson “had trepidation over the setup in Jacksonville,” implying some form of disdain for GM Trent Baalke. Similar reports have surfaced about Bucs OC Byron Leftwich, who supposedly didn’t want to take the job with Baalke at the helm. Pederson had a strong stint with the Eagles before a falling-out with management led to his firing. Though a former head coach would add some stability to the franchise, a rift between that coach and the GM would be a very Jacksonville way to start a new chapter.

Pederson, who took a hiatus after losing the Eagles’ head coaching job at the end of the 2020 season, is also in contention for the head coaching job in Jacksonville. Pederson, 53, would inherit quite a mess left behind by former Saints head coach Sean Payton. The Saints are once again in salary cap hell with no immediate answer at quarterback and little talent on offense outside Alvin Kamara. The next Saints head coach should be given several years to turn around the fledging franchise.

This will be Pederson’s second interview of this hiring cycle. He’s already talked with the Jaguars. Pederson took the year off after being fired by the Eagles, but the Super Bowl champion coach is reportedly rejuvenated and aiming to get back on the sidelines. Pederson joins Bills DC Leslie Frazier as names linked to the Bears’ job following Matt Nagy’s firing Monday morning. There will certainly be more candidates.

The sides are meeting in person, highlighting a certain level of interest in these Zoom’d out times. Pederson interviewed for zero head-coach openings following his Jan. 2021 ouster from the Eagles, opting to recharge instead of pursuing coordinating work. Pederson is only 53 years old with a Super Bowl title on his résumé, so it makes all the sense in the world for an adrift organization like Jacksonville to reach out. The Jags will surely have questions about the way Pederson’s Eagles tenure ended, however. Jax is casting an appropriately-wide net as it attempts to move on from its Urban Meyer fiasco.