Jacksonville Jaguars fire Doug Pederson as he becomes first NFL coach to be axed on Black Monday
The Jacksonville Jaguars have fired head coach Doug Pederson.
Pederson, in his third season with the franchise, saw a disappointing 4-13 record this past season, with the team also losing 18 of its last 23 games.
Now, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam SchefterPederson is out of a job after being fired by the franchise on the NFL’s “Black Monday.”
Pederson led the Jaguars to the playoffs in his first season in charge, but ultimately ended his tenure in Jacksonville with a 22-29 record — as quarterback and 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence regressed.
In a statement announcing the move, Jaguars owner Shad Khan called Pederson an “accomplished football man” and also indicated that GM Trent Baalke would be retained.
“I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Khan began.
“Doug is a veteran football man who will undoubtedly enjoy a new chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will support Doug and his wife Jeannie when that opportunity arises.” As much as Doug and I wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have a duty first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who loyally support our team and are belatedly rewarded. In that spirit, now is the time to convene new leadership.
Doug Pederson was fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars on the NFL’s “Black Monday.”
The Jaguars ended the regular season on Sunday with a 26-23 loss to the Colts
“I strongly believe that next season it will be possible to restore the winning environment we had here not so long ago. I will work with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will provide in Jacksonville.”
Pederson arrived in Jacksonville after spending five years in the same role with the Eagles, leading the franchise to their first Super Bowl victory in the 2017 postseason.
However, he was let go near the end of the 2020 season and the team went just 4-11-1 that year.
He also previously served as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator from 2013 to 2015.
Khan’s decision comes a day after Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement announcing the firing of head coach Jerod Mayo — just minutes after a Week 18 win over the Bills.
There are now five head coaching vacancies in the NFL, with the Jets, Saints and Bears joining the Jags and Patriots looking for new head coaches.
The Giants, who will pick No. 3 in the upcoming draft, announced they will retain both head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen after a 3-14 season.
The Dolphins, who also missed the playoffs at 8-9, also retain head coach Mike McDaniel.