Sure sounds like it's a matter of time before the Jaguars fire Doug Pederson

Head coach Doug Pederson's job security has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks. Although he guided the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC South title and a trip to the playoffs in 2022, they've won just three of their last 16 games dating back to last year. If the Jags continue to struggle, they could move on from Pederson at some point in 2024 or as soon as the regular season ends. Insider Josina Anderson reports that his dismissal could come sooner rather than later.

Anderson broke the news on Twitter that Khan would like to wait until the offseason to make a decision on Pederson's future but would be willing to blow things up if they get beaten badly against the Detroit Lions in Week 11.

"Speaking of his team, a league source told me this," Anderson posted, "based on the chatter they're hearing: "heard from a couple people... the owner prefers to wait to make a decision after the season, but if they get blown out this weekend (vs. Detroit) change is possible coming."

Anderson continued, "On whether it would be fair to make any internal changes when Trevor Lawrence is not playing this weekend due to injury? "Define fair in the NFL. What's fair? This is a business. I mean, I see your point, but people are definitely talking about these things down here."

Khan is known for being patient to a fault, giving coaches and team executives more time to prove themselves than they might've deserved. In fact, the owner said not long ago that he still trusted Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke to steer the ship in the right direction. However, it would be understandable if the owner changed his mind based on recent developments.

Following the win over the New England Patriots in Week 7, it looked like the Jags were spurning momentum. After all, they had racked up two wins in three weeks. Unfortunately, they have lost three consecutive games and haven't shown signs of potentially turning the corner. Add the fact that Trevor Lawrence could miss extended playing time while he recovers from a shoulder injury, and Khan could choose to move on from Pederson (and Baalke) before the season ends.

While it's true that the Jaguars are coming off consecutive winning seasons, they've vastly underachieved. They were 8-3 to start 2023 but won just one of their last six games and failed to qualify for the postseason. Expected to bounce back, Jacksonville revamped the roster and coaching staff in the offseason but the changes haven't translated into the win column.

That falls on both Pederson, for not getting the most out of his players, and Baalke for being unable to properly bolster the roster. Below is Anderson's full report on Twitter.

Trevor Lawrence must be the top priority when Jaguars decide Doug Pederson's fate

The Jaguars have a 1.5 percent chance of making the playoffs ahead of the game against the Detroit Lions. But even if they pull off the upset, they would have to virtually run the table to qualify for the postseason. Having said that, Shad Khan may not make changes even if the team fails to make the playoffs.

Maybe if the Jags rack up a few wins and finish strong, Khan may give Pederson and Baalke another chance. That may or may not be the right decision but it's one he can potentially make based on his track record with other head coaches. Ultimately, he must take into account Trevor Lawrence when choosing what course of action he'll take.

Pederson's relationship with the fourth-year quarterback has seemingly soured, and if he's no longer the right person to get the most out of him, the Jaguars need to bring in someone who will. Jacksonville will have no shortage of options in the next hiring cycle, and firing Pederson would give the team a head start.

The bottom line is that there are different routes Shad Khan can take when it comes to deciding Doug Pederson's future. One will become likely if the Jaguars lose to Detroit, according to Josina Anderson.

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