Here’s why Jacksonville Jaguars should make a run for Doug Pederson

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coaching search can take a bit more.

There are no reports linking Doug Pederson to the Jaguars’ head coaching job. In fact, Adam Schefter of ESPN and Jay Glazer of Fox Sports believe his relationship with New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas would make him a possible candidate for their own vacancy.

That shouldn’t deter the ‘Jags’ from pursuing Pederson. Shahid Kahn recently met with former Ohio State and Florida head coach Urban Meyer, who is believed to be the favorite to land in Jacksonville. Regardless of how much interest the organization has for Meyer, there is no rush to hire him and no stone should be left unturned.

Pederson’s regular-season record isn’t great, but he’s not the reason why the Eagles have fallen from grace since their 2017 Super Bowl season. His play-calling left much to be desired in 2020 and he waited too long to bench quarterback Carson Wentz, who regressed significantly last season after playing at a high level in previous years.

Pederson should certainly be accountable for the Eagles’ lack of success in the last two seasons. His decision to sit quarterback Jalen Hurts in favor of Nate Sudfeld with the game still within reach in the season finale hasn’t been a popular one among fans and media alike nor it should be. Whether he willingly pulled his starting quarterback in order to get a more favorable draft slot shouldn’t define him as a head coach.