It's been rumored that the Jacksonville Jaguars will move on from Doug Pederson sooner rather than later, and it's easy to see why. They've won a measly four games dating back to Week 13 of the 2023 season, and many of the issues they're facing stem from the head coach's inability to get the team back on track. That said, there's no guarantee that the Jags will move on from Pederson, and if they end up keeping him, a local voice believes he'll need to make a major concession.
Former Jaguars linebacker Tom McManus says that if we were owner Shad Khan, he would tell Pederson he can stay with one caveat: He must surrender offensive coordinator Press Taylor, and while he's at it, defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen too.
"If Doug's allowed to stay, I'm sorry. then Press is gone, GONE," McManus argued on 1010 XL. "I don't care, and you know what? Take Neilsen too. You want to stay here? These are the rules. You don't want to have this? Fine, you're out too, because I'm sick of this !"
McManus is entertaining this scenario because there's a realistic chance the Jags won't dismiss Pederson. Think about it. After the Jags made the AFC Championship with Doug Marrone at the helm, he only got the boot after three consecutive losing seasons. Pederson has only one so far and had a combined 18 wins (19 if you include the playoffs) the past two years.
Similarly, Gus Bradley never had a winning season but managed to keep his job for nearly four years. This is to say that there's a scenario where Pederson stays in Jacksonville beyond 2024 in spite of a handful of reports that suggest he'll be gone. Of course, he would need to make considerable changes to the way he operates, which makes sense when you take into account that whatever he's currently doing isn't working.
One of those reasonable changes would be to dismiss Taylor, who hasn't done a great job overseeing the offense. While he had bright moments in 2022, he struggled to adjust when injuries hit the roster last year. In his defense, the offensive line couldn't block, but it's his job as the coordinator to look for ways to get his unit going regardless of the circumstances, and he failed to come through.
Expected to bounce in 2024, the Jags have instead taken another step back. The offense has flashed at times but has also had trouble moving the ball and putting points on the scoreboard, whether Trevor Lawrence or Mac Jones is behind center.
The defense hasn't done much better with Ryan Nielsen at the helm, who replaced Mike Caldwell as the coordinator earlier this year. In fact, the defense has suffered a steep decline and is among the worst in the league in most meaningful categories, both traditional and advanced. Here's McManus cosplaying as Khan.
"If I'm Shad Khan, IF Doug (Pederson) is allowed to stay, Press (Taylor is gone, and take (Ryan) Nielsen too...
— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) December 16, 2024
You want to stay here? These are the rules... You don't want that? Fine. You're out too," @meathead55.
Agree with Tommy on changes coming?
Catching Up with Tommy… pic.twitter.com/toJ83EbrH6
Why Doug Pederson must fire Press Taylor to stay with the Jaguars
Doug Pederson helped the Jacksonville Jaguars heal after the Urban Meyer debacle and made the playoffs in his first season at the helm. Both feats might've helped him build enough good grace to keep his job after one losing season. That said, he can't keep doing the same things and expect different outcomes, something would need to change, and the first step would bring in a pair of coordinators who can help him get the team back on track.
But that's the thing, it's uncertain if he would be willing to move on from Press Taylor. Back when he was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, he was told to make changes to his coaching staff. One of the tweaks included making his protegee the offensive coordinator.
When presented with the proposal, Eagles owner Jeff Lurie wasn't particularly enthused with the changes and told Pederson to move on from Taylor, he instead quit. It's not farfetched to think he could do the same in Jacksonville. After all, he's gone out of his way to defend his offensive coordinator. Heck, he even threw players under the bus to stick up for Taylor earlier this year.
This begs the question? Would Doug Pederson be willing to stay with the Jaguars if he needs to fire Press Taylor? That will be something worth monitoring in the upcoming weeks.