3 strengths and 2 weaknesses of Jaguars HC Doug Pederson heading into the 2023 season
• Pederson managed a turnaround in Year 1
• There are areas in which he can improve heading into 2023
No. 1 Jaguars HC Doug Pederson's biggest strength
Doug Pederson knows how to connect with his players
Urban Meyer was a disaster on the football field but he was even worse behind the scenes. He would threaten and use intimidation methods to motivate his players and the coaching staff. He was a narcissist that bragged about his success at the collegiate ranks and dared his assistants to compare their resumes to his.
Players were so afraid of Meyer that they would refuse to speak out publicly. Heck, even after he was canned, only wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. chose to speak on the record about Meyer's lone season at the helm. That's how toxic the Jaguars became under his watch.
This is why finding the right coach, one that could connect with players, was key during a search that lasted nearly two months. The Jags needed more than someone who knew his Xs and Os inside out. What they needed was someone that could understand players, put himself in their shoes, and get the most out of them. In the end, they settled on Pederson.
Pederson didn't promise any quick fixes and said it would take a bit of time to heal from the Meyer debacle. But just two months in, players had bought what he was selling them. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin said he would run through a brick wall for his coach and most players echoed that sentiment.
Later in the season, safety Andrew Wingard said that everyone would rally behind general Pederson. Simply, you will be hard-pressed to find someone that dislikes Pederson. There must be a player or two. After all, not everyone will like you but Pederson most certainly knows how to adjust to his players' personalities and get his message across.