The Los Angeles Rams are playing in their second Super Bowl in the last four years while the Jacksonville Jaguars are… whelp, watching them take on the Cincinnati Bengals from home. On the bright side, the Jags are trying to make meaningful changes to the organization after winning just three games in 2021 and 15 over the last four seasons.
The most meaningful move the Jaguars made this offseason was hiring Doug Pederson as their head coach. Back in 2017, Pederson led the Philadelphia Eagles to the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history, so it’s clear he knows how to win. Having said that, it wouldn’t hurt to look at some of the things the Rams have done in recent years to achieve sustained success. In particular, Jacksonville needs to keep these three in mind.
No.1 lesson the Jaguars can learn from the Rams – Pay your best players.
How many big contracts have the Jags handed over the last three years? Better yet, how many difference-makers have they either traded or released? The Jags currently have a few building blocks on the roster but not nearly enough. Otherwise, they would’ve won more than three games in 2021. On the other hand, the Rams aren’t afraid to pay their franchise players market value even if the investment doesn’t pay off like in running back Todd Gurley’s and quarterback Jared Goff’s case.
Nevertheless, Los Angeles knew they had an elite defensive tackle in Aaron Donald and paid him as such. The same is true for wide receiver Cooper Kupp. As soon as he started showing signs of greatness, the Rams gave him a three-year deal worth nearly $50 million. Meanwhile, the Jags traded defensive Calais Campbell as soon as he made it be known he wanted a contract extension.
Something similar happened with edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue. Instead of making him feel wanted, the organization alienated him and sent him to the Minnesota Vikings before the start of the 2020 season.
The Jaguars need to stop alienating their franchise players and must do what’s necessary to keep them. Re-signing wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. and giving outside linebacker Josh Allen a multi-year deal would be a good start.
No. 2 lesson the Jaguars can learn from the Rams – Shoot for the moon.
Not literally, but you get the point. The Rams haven’t shied away from making blockbuster acquisitions over the last few years and the Jags know this better than anyone as they sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Los Angeles in the middle of the 2020 season in exchange for two first-round selections (and a fourth-rounder). However, that’s not the only impact move the Rams have made. Far from it.
Last year alone, they acquired running back Sony Michel from the New England Patriots as soon as Cam Akers got hurt. They later traded for outside linebacker Von Miller and then claimed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. off of waivers. Because that wasn’t enough, they also convinced safety Eric Weddle to come out of retirement. All those players had a key role in Los Angeles’ most recent Super Bowl run, and the Rams weren’t afraid to swing for the fences to get any of them.
Again, not every move Los Angeles has made over the last four seasons has panned out but instead of doubling down on their mistakes, they are willing to cut their losses and move on, just like they did with Jared Goff, who was traded to the Detroit Lions one year and a few months after signing a four-year, $134 million contract.
An old adage says that future favors the bold and the Rams are the living proof this is true. In fact, don’t be surprised if they’ve framed that phrased and hung it somewhere at SoFi Stadium.
No. 3 lesson the Jaguars can learn from the Rams – Use your assets wisely.
A wise man that used to solve crimes once said that gold is as good as the man digging, and this is particularly true for first-round draft picks. While most NFL teams treat them as invaluable commodities, they’re just another tool to acquire players for the Rams.
Los Angeles isn’t afraid to trade their first-round picks for proven talent because they know that players’ readiness is always variable in the draft. And their approach is working out given the fact that they’re playing in the Super Bowl while 30 teams are watching them from the comfort of their living room. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Rams aren’t sitting in unused cap space and will always find a way to make it work out.
On the other side of the coin, the Jaguars have had plenty of cap space over the last three years but they have been unwilling to spend it. Back in 2020, the only meaningful acquisition in free agency was tight end Tyler Eifert and he didn’t get a top-market contract. Last offseason, the Jags made several additions but none of the blockbuster variety. The point isn’t to spend for the sake of spending but the Jags need to maximize their resources the way the Rams have over the last few years.
Don’t forget that Los Angeles was the laughing stock in the early 2010s but once they changed the way they did business, they turned their fortunes around. It’s time the Jaguars change their approach too.