Once upon a time in sunny Jacksonville, the Jaguars experienced what can only be described as a late-season collapse for the record books. And unfortunately for defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and his coaching staff, they were left to take the fall for the disappointment.
Coach Doug Pederson wasted no time in making tough decisions, relieving Caldwell and seven other assistants of their duties following the Jaguars' 28-20 loss to the Titans, which ultimately sealed their fate of missing the playoffs. It was a bitter ending for a team that had shown promise earlier in the season, sitting atop the AFC South with an 8-3 record in late November.
But alas, the Jaguars lost their grip on victory, stumbling their way through five out of their last six games. The team's once solid defense crumbled, allowing an average of 29.2 points and 146.8 yards rushing per game during their slump.
In addition to Caldwell, D-line coach Brentson Buckner, linebackers coach Tony Gilbert, safeties coach Cody Grimm, senior defensive assistant Bob Sutton, cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend, and quality control assistants Sean Cullina and Tee Mitchell were also shown the door.
Pederson, who seems to have his eye on the future, emphasized that the Jaguars are built to win now. Recognizing the limited opportunities in the tumultuous world of the NFL, he expressed the need to seize the moment with the talented roster at hand. The disappointment of falling short in the win-and-in game against the Titans left a sour taste, making it clear that the season was not capitalizing on its potential.
However, Pederson remains optimistic, believing that the best football for the Jaguars is still on the horizon. As the team faces several important roster decisions, including potential salary cap maneuvers and securing key players like safety Rayshawn Jenkins and right guard Brandon Scherff, the coach hopes the late-season collapse will serve as motivation for improvement moving forward.
While quarterback Trevor Lawrence's rookie season ended with 21 turnovers, just one shy of his total as a rookie, he acknowledges the need to reduce those mistakes going forward. The talented young quarterback recognizes the impact of ball security on the team's chances of winning and plans to make it a top priority in the offseason.
For wide receiver Calvin Ridley, his first season with the Jaguars ended on a bittersweet note. Just moments away from potentially catching a game-changing touchdown, the ball unfortunately slipped through his fingertips. Nevertheless, Ridley had an impressive season, racking up 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. After a tumultuous two-year hiatus due to gambling suspension, injury, and mental health issues, Ridley is determined to continue improving and fixing any lingering issues.
The Jaguars face a critical decision regarding Ridley's future, with the possibility of utilizing the franchise tag or letting him explore free agency. This decision will likely depend on the outcome of discussions with pass rusher Josh Allen, who had a standout season, accumulating a franchise-record 17.5 sacks. Allen's performance has undoubtedly earned him consideration for a substantial contract, possibly reaching close to $100 million.
As the offseason looms and preparations for the next season begin, the Jaguars find themselves reflecting on a disappointing end to a promising campaign. But they aren't dwelling on the past; instead, they are focused on learning from their mistakes, rebounding stronger, and making the most of their future opportunities.
The story for the Jacksonville Jaguars continues, as they write the next chapters in their quest for success.
