The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a couple of underwhelming years. Looking back, a dearth of talent and depth was a big reason they struggled to win games, but inadequate coaching also played a huge role. Just recently, veteran Andrew Wingard opened up about how the past regime failed players.
Wingard told Brent Martineau of Action Sports Jax on Day 1 of training camp that he feels the Jags will give him a legitimate chance to compete, arguing that the best players must play.
"Absolutely, we all know it's the NFL, but I think this staff, this front office, these coaches, I think the best players are going to play, and that's how it should be, and whether I'm the best, or whether I'm not, who knows? I believe I am" Wingard responded when asked if he thinks he'll have an opportunity after missing time last year. "So I'm just going to, that's what I do every day, I just go out and play football. I do what I was born to do, so wherever the chips stack, whatever, but in my head, I'm going for it."
It's easy to read between the lines. Last year, Wingard missed the start of the season after suffering a knee injury in training camp. Once he returned, he felt that he should be playing. On the other hand, it's easy to see why he was frustrated with the role at the time. The defense as a whole was struggling at the time, and fellow safeties Andre Cisco and Antonio Johnson weren't particularly great.
Then again, Wingard wasn't much better. In fact, he's better suited for a reserve role. Still, he believes the new coaching staff's approach has been a breath of fresh air. In particular, he's hyped up about defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
"I mean, he's bringing up like stoic references from like Socrates and stuff in the meetings, and I'm like, 'jezz, pull my finger. So it's super cool, and I love his mentality, and I just love this coaching staff, but again, there's going to be hype," the veteran safety said when asked about Campanile.
This isn't the first time Wingard has praised his new defensive coordinator. Back in the offseason, he said Campanile is the kind of guy you want to have a few drinks with.
An undrafted free agent in 2019, Wingard signed with the Jags and made the 53-man roster as a rookie. He eventually worked his way up the depth chart and became a full-time starter in 2021. With Andre Cisco showing promise, Dewey stepped back into a backup role the following season. He's since been a valuable reserve and key contributor on special teams, which is why he got a three-year deal in 2023.
Andrew Wingard wasn't done taking shots at former Jaguars HC Doug Pederson
Leaving aside whether Andrew Wingard deserved to play last year, he's right when he said that the coaches failed to do their jobs. Doug Pederson was seemingly fine delegating tasks to his coordinators, and that would've been an acceptable approach if they were any good and he kept a close eye on what was happening. Neither was the case.
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor was underqualified to run his unit, and his defensive counterpart, Ryan Nielsen, rubbed players the wrong way with his arrogant demeanor. Wingard took advantage of the opportunity to call out Pederson and his staff, and praise Liam Coen.
"Absolutely, and it's preached. It's preached, and that's what I really respect about Liam and Camp, and all these guys," Wingard responded when talking about the difference in the new staff. "It's like you got to do your freaking job. Like again, I can't say enough, this is the NFL. If I'm a coach and I have a job to go win games, and you're a guy who doesn't do what you're supposed to do, you're not going to be on the field."
Wingard continued, "And so, they're really trained in that, in meetings and everything, you do something wrong and get called out, are you going to put your ego up, and cry? Are you going to take the coaching and get better and be a pro? So I think that's where this team is evolving, because those coaches are doing a great job of making us, pushing us just enough, not too much, but a perfect amount. You got to look better."
During the exchange, Wingard acknowledges that there's always a honeymoon period when a new regime arrives, and he's right.
It may be too early to tell if the Jaguars have the right coach in Liam Coen. That said, he's taken several steps in the right direction and is off to an encouraging start to his stint in Jacksonville.