Doug Pederson wildly throws Jaguars players under the bus to defend OC Press Taylor

The Jacksonville Jaguars managed to keep under wraps who's calling plays on offense in 2024. Following the loss to the Houston Texans, head coach Doug Pederson at least revealed who's handled the duty. Along the way, he threw players under the bus.

Pederson met with the local media after the 24-20 loss in Week 4. He was asked about the decision to go for it on fourth down late in the game. The head coach was seemingly testy, noting that it no longer mattered since they lost.

Later in the exchange, Pederson was asked whether he should take playcalling away from offensive coordinator Press Taylor and answered no, defending his embattled offensive coordinator while saying that players must deliver.

One of the biggest topics of discussion surrounding the Jaguars dating back to last year is who's calling plays on offense. Taylor handled it full-time in 2023 after doing it at times the season prior.

While the Jags got off to an 8-3 start, the offense faded down the stretch. Although injuries largely played a role, Taylor got the blame. Nevertheless, Pederson went to bat for him, pointing out that the offensive coordinator could improve but overall did a job in his first year calling plays.

During the offseason, Pederson said that he was considering taking control of the playcalling again. He was asked several times ahead of the regular season and always deflected. Even owner Shad Khan chimed in, saying that he had a preference but would allow his head coach to make the choice. It wasn't until his press conference after the Week 4 loss that Pederson spilled the beans.

Defending Press Taylor may be Doug Pederson's undoing with the Jaguars

Doug Pederson is right players didn't always deliver in the loss to the Houston Texans. Whether it was drops or overthrown passes, the offense was marred by mistakes. Having said that, the coaching staff must also share their part of the blame. Even though they were gaining yards by chunks in the running game, they suddenly started passing.

Similarly, the Jaguars were leading 20-17 when they chose to go for it on fourth down near the Houston end zone near the end of the third quarter. Granted, the play would've been good if right guard Brandon Scherff had held his own but defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi won the battle and stuffed Trevor Lawrence to help the Texans get the ball back on downs.

Instead of taking a risk, why not go for it and make it 23-17? That would've changed the Texans' strategy and given the Jags a bigger chance of winning when you take into account that the defense was doing its part.

It's also worth noting that this isn't the first time the offense has struggled in 2024. In fact, they had failed to reach the 20-point mark until Week 4. Again, several players, including Trevor Lawrence, have underachieved, but it's ultimately Press Taylor's unit and he must answer for it. What's even more frustrating is that outside of Week 3, the defense has held its own.

In the second half of the loss to the Texans, they forced Houston to punt six straight times. In Weeks 1 and 2, they gave up 20 and 18 points respectively. Sure, they ultimately relented, but they haven't been getting help from the offense, and that falls on Taylor.

Dating back to his days with the Philadelphia Eagles, Doug Pederson has routinely stood up for Press Taylor. It was his undoing then, and it could be again with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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