4 coaches who can untap Trevor Lawrence's potential if Jaguars fire Doug Pederson

It would be an understatement to say this season has been the toughest for Doug Pederson as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Not only has it been hugely disappointing for a man with so much NFL head coaching success, but it’s arguably been one of the toughest of his career in this league.

The Jaguars appear to be doomed to another season without the playoffs and there are many questions about Pederson’s future. His chances of remaining as their head coach beyond this season appear bleak, but in addition to that it’s hard to know just who can replace him and unlock Trevor Lawrence’s potential.

Assuming Pederson gets the axe between now and the end of the season, the front office will undoubtedly seek an offensive mind that can bring out the best in Lawrence.

Here are four head coaching candidates that may be a good fit for the former All-American.

Ben Johnson - Detroit Lions, offensive coordinator

For a third successive season, Johnson is likely at the top of the list of strong offensive minds in the NFL who may be ready to become a head coach.

Jared Goff was written off by the Los Angeles Rams, who may have won the Super Bowl in his absence, but long term that trade has been better for the Lions than LA. Ben Johnson deserves plenty of credit for getting the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft back on track.

The Lions boast the best record in the NFC (8-1) thanks in part to Goff’s completion percentage of 71.8, the highest among quarterbacks who have started more than five games this season.

Goff has an impressive passer rating of 104.4 under Johnson’s scheme, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt, which is 1.1 yards more than the top overall passer in the league statistically, Joe Burrow.

Johnson is not only someone who’s gotten the best out of his quarterback though, as his coaching has made the Lions probably the best overall offensive team in the NFL with tremendous talent at every position. That alone suggests he’s capable of wearing several hats and handling the pressures of being a head coach in this league.

While the core of the Jags offense has been in the NFL for a few years, they are still relatively young and could benefit greatly from Johnson’s tutelage.

Todd Monken - Baltimore Ravens, offensive coordinator

Since serving as the Jaguars wide receivers’ coach in 2007 Todd Monken has come a long way.

Over the past two years as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator, he’s made a solid offense, an elite one with the Ravens sitting second in average yards per play and fourth in EPA per play, according to Pro Football Focus.

Age may not be the friend of Monken at 58, given the appeal of young NFL head coaches nowadays, but he’s got a good track record of success that deserves some consideration.

Arguably his greatest achievement as a coach in the NFL or college has been the development of Lamar Jackson. The two-time NFL MVP has always shown great athletic ability which comes naturally to him, but he’s never been as well-rounded as we’ve seen under Monken. His elevation as a passing pivot has been remarkable, currently boasting a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 91.2, the best among quarterbacks.

Over the past two years, Jackson has a PFF grade of 90.4, and Monken is part of the reason why.

Monken is not at the top of the head coaching food chain, but he comes with strong credentials and could get more out of Lawrence in Duval County, while he wouldn’t cost nearly as much as the other names out there.

Kliff Kingsbury - Washington Commanders, offensive coordinator

Kingsbury’s perception as an NFL head coach may not be all that positive but one can’t argue with the great work he’s done with young quarterbacks of late.

As offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders, Kingsbury has played a part in this team being the best all-around and most consistent offense in 2024. Dan Quinn’s team is fourth in total yards per game (377) and rushing yards per game (153).

Traditionally, rookie quarterbacks with the college resume of Jayden Daniels need an adjustment period to prove their worth, but the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft already looks like a superstar. He’s only thrown two interceptions this year and has a completion percentage equal to Joe Burrow's 68.7.

Daniels makes smart decisions and big plays when needed to help a much-improved Commanders team that looks poised to make the postseason.

Kingsbury’s worked with many players who came into the league with top-end talent like Lawrence, and he seems to have learned a lot from his disappointing time in Arizona, where the Cardinals had just one winning season in his four years on the sidelines.

Joe Brady - Buffalo Bills, offensive coordinator

When the Buffalo Bills decided to part company with Ken Dorsey, it seemed hard to believe Sean McDermott would find a better offensive coordinator.

However, Brady has transitioned seamlessly from the team’s quarterback coach to overseeing the entire offense, with that group as balanced as they’ve ever been on the side of the football in decades.

Before Brady’s promotion, the Bills were a two-dimensional offense uniquely dependent on Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. Brady has made superstars out of James Cook and Khalil Shakir.

Josh Allen is 8-2 as a starter this season, tossing just four picks and only taking 13 sacks. He’s got a 100.2 overall quarterback rating and has thrown 17 touchdown passes. The Bills are strong Super Bowl contenders again this year, thanks to Allen’s contributions as he’s become a much more versatile quarterback since Brady took charge.

The Bills coordinator has worked with Jags receiver Gabe Davis and offensive lineman Mitch Morse before which might enable him to transition quicker into a role as head coach of Jacksonville. Brady’s proven himself as a coordinator and appears more than capable to be a head coach.

Given what he’s done with Allen, it’s easy to believe he could do the same for Lawrence, who is nearing the prime years of his NFL career.