5 potential replacements for Jaguars HC Doug Pederson if things go sideways in 2024
The Jacksonville Jaguars were not able to meet expectations in 2023. One year after making the playoffs and seizing the AFC South title, they failed to repeat both feats. With the Houston Texans supplanting them as the team to beat next season, head coach Doug Pederson should be under pressure to steer the Jags in the right direction.
Granted, the team's inability to qualify for the postseason doesn't solely fall on Pederson. General manager Trent Baalke also deserves plenty of blame for not making the necessary upgrades to the roster last year. In fact, both of them should be on the hot seat after Jacksonville's late-season collapse.
So let's say the Jaguars come crashing down again and move on from both Pederson and Baalke. Here are five potential replacements the organization should consider as the head coach.
5. Ejiro Evero, Panthers defensive coordinator
As recently as 2022, Ejiro Evero was a hot name in the hiring cycle. However, it looks like his stock took a hit after a season with the Carolina Panthers. While Evero's specialty is defense, they ranked 29th in points allowed in the league last year. But despite the unit's underwhelming performance, newly hired head coach David Canales expects him to return. That goes on to show how much he's respected around the league.
Heck, several teams, including the Jaguars, zeroed in on Evero as a defensive coordinator but Carolina blocked requests. He'll now have a chance to help rebuild the Panthers, which is a realistic goal if he gets a handful of pieces to work with.
Back when Evero was the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, they ranked seventh in points allowed. Before that, he was the secondary coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, when they ranked first in points surrendered. The bottom line is that wherever Evero goes, his defenses succeed. It wouldn't be shocking if he once again garners consideration for head-coaching gigs next year.
All Evero would need would be an ascending assistant to bring with him as an offensive coordinator, someone who has shown he can develop quarterbacks, and teams will be on speed dial.