4 Jaguars players who didn't live up to expectations in 2023

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't make the playoffs in 2023 and there are a few reasons why. Coaching certainly played a role, so head coach Doug Pederson revamped his staff (mostly the defensive side) in the offseason. General manager Trent Baalke also deserves blame, as he failed to adequately address needs last year. The player, for their part, didn't always execute.

Whether it was dropped passes, communications issues, or missed tackles, the Jaguars, as a team, looked sloppy last year. Granted, there were a handful of encouraging individual performances, but there were also a few players who weren't able to step up when called upon. These four, in particular, failed to live up to expectations.

4. Zay Jones, wide receiver

Teams have no control over injuries but they can most definitely prepare to overcome them. That said, there are a few injuries that have a bigger impact than others. In the Jaguars' case, the one Zay Jones sustained last year held the offense back.

Jones signed a three-year deal worth $24 million in 2022 after spending time with the Buffalo Bills and the Las Vegas Raiders. The former East Carolina Panther set new career bests for catches and receiving yards in his first season with Jacksonville, so it was easy to think he would be even better in 2023.

Unfortunately, a PCL injury limited Jones to just eight games and when he was on the field, he wasn't himself. He finished the year with 34 receptions for 321 yards with two touchdowns. To make matters worse, the offense experienced a notable dip in production when he wasn't playing. On the bright side, Jones should bounce back in 2024 if he's 100 percent. And it looks like the team believes he'll do it.

As of this writing, Jones remains on the roster. This is noteworthy because he was seen as a potential cap casualty but he appears to be safe. If he does return next season, expect him once again to be a key cog on the offense.