JACKSONVILLE – A day from Look-ahead Wednesday.
And hey … it's the bye week. Wheee.
Let's get to it …
Jordan from Mandarin
This is a damning result. The Lions were in a similar situation as us a few years ago. They chose the right general manager/head coach and now they're one of the best teams in the NFL. Firing General Manager Trent Baalke and Head Coach Doug Pederson isn't even a conversation at this point to me. It's the easy decision. The hard part is Shad choosing the right general manager and head coach.
This is the topic of the day, and what else would be the topic as the Jaguars enter their 2024 bye week with a stunningly disappointing 2-9 record in the wake of an equally stunning and embarrassing 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., Sunday? While the phrase "historically bad" gets bandied about too often in these parts, the loss Sunday indeed was historically bad – and when a game and record is at this level, change gets discussed. It gets discussed by fans. And almost certainly by ownership. To reiterate what was said here Monday, I assume Jaguars Owner Shad Khan is strongly reviewing the situation. And one can assume that change either now or the foreseeable future is being considered. I don't know the details, timeline or direction of anything he might be considering and pretty much any "reports" or rumors or anything of the like probable is speculation. The people who truly know Khan's thoughts on these matters are a precious few. Because few – if anyone – knows the direction, timeline or details there's not much that can be done in the way of accurate projection or predictions on what the future may hold. This isn't a great answer. It's not a satisfying answer. But it's the only answer about change that can be stated with any honesty right now. Stay tuned.
Jerell from Columbia, SC
Through my many years of watching bad Jaguar football, this team sucks the most.
Jerell's back and he's maybe sort of right and sort of wrong. I can't rightly say this has been the Jaguars' worst team ever all season. While it has struggled in spots, it has been competitive in most games – and with a break or two, the narrative might be at least somewhat different. But if you just reference the loss to Detroit … yeah, that version of this team was as bad as any Jaguars team I've covered. Sunday was just horrendous.
A!-Aron from Duval
Hey, John. Correct me if I'm wrong. The Jags could - potentially - be the first team in NFL history to have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft three times within a five-year period. Thanks A!-Aaron
You're so not wrong.
Boxcutter Bill from Mass
I miss quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He may not be the greatest, he may not always win in the end, but with him there's always a chance. Do you think the coaches don't want Mac Jones throwing down field? Or does he just not?
I think when quarterbacks don't have one of the NFL's strongest arms there are throws they know not to make and that coaches lean away from calling plays that call for those quarterbacks to make those throws. I also think Lawrence is way too criticized by some in the fan base and not a problem for this team.
Dave from Doesn't matter
Do you think Armstead is this team's worst free-agent signing? Jags have excelled at signing terrible free agents but could this be the worst?
The list of bad free agent signings for the Jaguars throughout their history indeed is a long one. That's hardly exclusive to the Jaguars. Free agency is more often an avenue to disappointment than it is a path to hopes fulfilled. Pro football usually is a young man's game, and signing players five or six years into their career whose teams don't want them is often foolish. As for the worst free agents in Jaguars history … it's a long list, but defensive tackle Arik Armstead hasn't made much of an impact. That's hard to argue.
Mike from Lakeland
I hope the last two weeks have shown the "haters" how far Trevor has dragged this team kicking and screaming to stay in games.
This is more than fair. Lawrence is far from perfect. He's not yet elite. But he's good and getting better – and he's much better than a backup quarterback. Because of course he is.
Scott from Daytona Beach, FL
OOOFFFF. The Jags may have some good players but they are a long way off the top echelon of teams. That is very evident of the Bills and now Lions games.
The Jaguars have a lot of good players. I don't know that they have enough really good-to-great players – and they really don't have enough really-good-to-great players in the middle of the offensive line and the middle of the defense.
Brian from Wheeling
So guys … who or what are we doing with the No. 1 pick?
I don't discuss the following offseason's draft until the end of the current season. My house, my rules.
John from Fleming Island
- It's really remarkable the stark differences between two teams that finished 2022 season at 9-8 Talent acquisition and player development since that point in time is truly astounding. Even to the most casual observer it is crystal clear many players were just going through the motions yesterday. My fandom has soured to apathy.
Fair.
Rusty from New Iberia, LA
Tell me again why we gave up a draft pick for Mac Jones.
The Jaguars traded a sixth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to the New England Patriots to improve the backup quarterback situation to acquire a player with extensive starting experience.
Steve from Woodbine, GA
Has management considered the possibility of forfeiting the remainder of their schedule?
Obviously not.
Don from Marshall, NC
How can you just get the worst beat down in Jaguars history and be laughing and joking seconds later? I just don't get it. I saw guys swapping jerseys. I find it very disrespectful to the fans. I understand professionalism and shaking hands after the game, but I don't want players that can turn it off that quick. Especially after a game like that. Everyone walking around like business as usual. Doug Pederson has turned this team into a team that now couldn't beat the team he took over. All that cash and draft picks and you're the worst team in the league? He is right about one thing the bye comes at the perfect time but not for him. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to being right about something that's a bad look and that irritates old-school guys like me and Don but that's pretty much the way of the NFL these days Don remains "all in."
Chris from Fleming Island
OZONE, You've said several times that you don't expect The Jags to have this first pick in the draft again, so who do you think between the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans – the teams we're currently tied with – will beat us out for the first pick?
I don't know. I don't think the Jaguars will select No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft because I think they will play well enough against a more manageable schedule to win a few games.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
The Lions and the Texans are two teams put together beautifully. The Jags have no excuses why they suck as bad as they do. Trent freaking Baalke built this roster. It falls at his feet. I am afraid that we will fire everyone and let Baalke be the person who remains. He cannot be allowed to "help" pick an other coach or overall number one draft pick. The incompetence that goes on with this franchise would be comical if I wasn't a fan. Feels like malpractice.
So, one not fer Baalke apparently.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
A couple plays here and a couple plays there and it could have been 40-9, but seriously, have wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and kicker Cam Little been the best two Jags thus far?
They're up there with defensive end Travon Walker and punter Logan Cooke. Running back Tank Bigsby and linebacker Ventrell Miller have been good, too. That's probably the top of the list.
Spazman from JACKSONVILLE
John. Why hasn't Khan fired everybody yet? I agree that the fans need to boycott the games until that happens.
Whatever Khan does or doesn't do, it's Tuesday of the bye week.
Dan from Jax
I did a deep dive into trying to determine what could be the Jags problems this year. I found nothing definitive. So I went to Plan B. I consulted the illustrious Magic 8 ball. I turned it over and it read, "I don't have a clue, either.." Your thoughts?
Can I borrow your eight ball? I can send a courier. Like one of those guys on a bike in that old Kevin Bacon movie.
