The Jaguars hire Doug Pederson as new head coach
The Jacksonville Jaguars annouced the hiring of their new head coach, Doug Pederson. A Super Bowl winner with the Eagles in 2017, he will have work to do.
With a Super Bowl title under his belt, could it be that Jaguars are taking a step in the right direction with the hiring of their new head coach.
The Jaguars hire Doug Pederson as head coach
Having the 'honor' of being the league's worst team for a little while now, one could be forgiven for feeling sorry for Jacksonville's team. Even more so when considering the variety of off field problems that they suffered during this last season. Yet, if the Jaguars are to shake off that dubious accolade, they will need to start making moves and as of Thursday night, seems like that's exactly what they have started to do. According to reports The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced Doug Pederson as their next head coach. In a clear sign of intent, the Jaguars have turned to a coach with Super Bowl pedigree. The 54-year-old coach and former NFL quarterback led the Eagles to the franchise's first Super Bowl at the end of the 2017 season.
What's Doug Pederson's NFL career look like?
During his tenure as Philadelphia's coach from 2016-20, Pederson guided the Eagles to a 42-37-1 regular season and 4-2 in the postseason. In 2017 specifically, Pederson led the Eagles to a 13-3 regular season record after which they went on to beat the New England patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LIII on the back of an MVP performance by backup quarterback Nick Foles. Following their Super Bowl triumph the Eagles would then post two consecutive 9-7 seasons before stumbling to a 4-11-1 record in 2020. Pederson was dismissed after the 2020 season and remained out of work until now.
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Taking a look back at Pederson's career, it's worth noting that under the tutelage of the legendary Andry Reid, his rise through the ranks was both consistent and quick. Indeed after coaching in high school from 2005-08, he joined Reid's coaching staff in Philadelphia in 2009. Having served as the Eagles quarterbacks coach, he would actually follow Reid in 2013 to Kansas City where he would become the Chiefs' offensive coordinator from 2013-15. As a player, Pederson spent 10 years in the NFL. Seven of those seasons were spent as back up to none other than Brett Farve during the Packers dominant years. In fact Pederson actually got himself a Super Bowl title in the season of 1996. Incidentally Reid was also there at the time, serving as the Packers' quarterbacks coach.
What is Doug Pederson facing with the Jaguars?
To say that Pederson has his work cut out for him might be stating the obvious, but it must be said. Having posted four consecutive losing seasons after making it to the AFC Championship Game in 2017, the Jaguars are more than due a rebuild. In the last season alone Jacksonville went 3-14. If there is some good news, it's that for the second straight year - due to their abysmal record - the Jaguars will receive the No. 1 pick in the draft. Who that will be remains to be seen, but rest assured Pederson and the Jaguars will be most welcoming.