PHILADELPHIA — First understand this: I like Doug Pederson. I’ve known him for 23 years. I think he’s a good coach. I’m happy for him and his family that the Jaguars hired him Thursday. He never should have been fired by the Eagles, and I can’t wait to see how he fares in Florida. He’s the NFL’s most endearing nerd. Go get ‘em, kid.
But also understand this: I’m astonished that Doug Pederson is back in the NFL as a head coach, entrusted with developing the most hyped quarterback since Dan Marino.
Then again, I was astonished the Eagles hired him in 2016, too. The similarities are stunning. Nobody wanted to coach the Eagles back then, because they had a flawed roster and a meddlesome owner. Nobody wants the Jags job, either, for largely the same reasons, only amplified.
