WATFORD, United Kingdom – Let's get to it …
Brian from Greenwood, IN
I know you are not a "fan," but rather a professional. However, are you as stunned as the rest of us about how poorly this team is playing? When the schedule came out, I was thinking worst-case scenario would be 3-3 after six games. Now, I don't see where they can win even four or five games. What gives? Something is very off right now.
What gives when it comes to the 2024 Jaguars is complex enough that it's hard to answer in one paragraph. My overall thought is the team lacks great players capable of taking control of games at critical times, and that that's a big reason they have lost three of the four close games they have played. Had they won two those games, they would be 3-3. There's more to it, but that's the big-picture view. As for your question … yes, I'm surprised at how poorly the team is playing. I've said and written often that I didn't expect the Jaguars to be great this season. I wrote here in the O-Zone that the free-agency approach of signing aging veterans was worrisome. But I expected the Jaguars to be better than this. I thought they would be better than they have been in close games, and I didn't expect being uncompetitive at times to be a growing trend. I'm man enough – and experienced enough at it – to admit when I'm wrong. I was wrong.
Mike from Omaha, NE
Hi, John. If I heard correctly, Coach Pederson said in his press conference that he didn't feel it necessary to follow up with Andre Cisco because he was sure he didn't mean what he had said about players quitting. Don't you think a coach has a responsibility to find out for sure rather than to just make an assumption about something so potentially damning? Thank you.
I think Pederson as a former player has a decent idea about how he feels about what's said by players immediately following games. He has a different perspective on this than most observers and fans. I also would be surprised if Pederson or significant members of the coaching staff haven't talked to Cisco to get a feel about this. Just because Pederson didn't call Cisco into his office to have a sit-down conversation doesn't mean he doesn't have an idea what he meant. Also: If Pederson wants to get an idea about whether players are quitting, he can watch the game. He doesn't need players to tell him. Bottom line: If I were the head coach, I would have probably talked to Cisco and made sure everyone knew it. But it's not surprising – or particularly damning – that Pederson didn't take that approach.
Julio from Palm Beach
I've been hearing terms like "fire sale" and marquee names mentioned in trade rumors. Do you honestly think the front office will start dealing big names instead of focusing on the secondary and o-line? I'm as disappointed as anyone with our start, but I don't think it's time to deal away franchise cornerstones.
I don't expect the Jaguars to trade away franchise cornerstones this season.
Tom from The Mean Streets of Nocatee
The only time the Jaguars have been good was 1996-1999.
This is incorrect, though it is correct that the Jaguars haven't been nearly good enough consistently enough since then.
Sal from Austin , TX
After schooling the Jaguars for 35 points the first, and I mean the very first – thing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said after the game when asked about his performance was the missed throw to his receiver in the corner of the end zone when he was picked off. Do you know what we get around here? "Life is hard, football is hard, you're not going to complete everything, etc." After their latest win, do you know what Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had to say to the fans and the organization? "Football is a game, but winning is our business." That's winning culture. Our head coach is talking about let's just "fun" our way out of this. Am I just "fanning," John?
Probably, but your favorite team is 1-5 and incredibly disappointing this season. What the hell else are you supposed to do?
Tom from Charleston
I'm sure that this will never see the light of day …
Wow. Talk about your self-fulfilling prophecies.
Frank from St. Augustine
Johnny, it looks like Detroit could be in the market for a pass rusher. Kansas City could be in the market for a receiver. Do you see a situation where we would trade Hines-Allen and/or Gabe Davis within the next week?
I do not expect the Jaguars to trade defensive end Josh Hines-Allen this season and can't imagine they would do so. I would be surprised if they traded wide receiver Gabe Davis seven games after he signed as an unrestricted free agent.
Eric from Jacksonville
As a longtime season ticket holder, what are we supposed to do at this point to voice our frustration with the direction of this organization? Just shut up and deal with it?
How Jaguars fans feel right is not a mystery, nor is it unwarranted. Anyone who matters in the organization feels the same way.
Mark G from O.P.
Go out, play, and have fun? What is this Pop Warner football?
No. It's football. It's a game. It's hard to play well if you're not having fun.
Travis from Jacksonville
You said: The Jaguars aren't going to bench quarterback Trevor Lawrence, nor should they. He didn't lift his teammates, but he wasn't awful. He didn't play great Sunday, but he didn't differentiate himself from many teammates on that front. The NFL salary cap for 2024 is $255.4 million per team, with total player costs of $329.4 million per team. That means Trevor accounts for 20 percent of the cap this year. Tell me again why changing him for a game is not something that should be considered? It is clear Pederson has lost the team, and I expect Khan to fire him on the plane back from England. It will allow pursuing another coach, and set the tone for accountability. This appears to not be a talent issue, it appears to be more about coaching and leading the team. Cue your canned response: It's always coaching.
For future reference: There's little-to-no need to quote what I said back to me. Things I say and write are "awesome," and I never forget things that are "awesome." The reason changing Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence for a game is not something that should be considered is he is the starting quarterback and he in no way has played poorly in the last two games. He had four touchdown passes dropped Sunday. Why would you bench him? It's nonsensical at this point.
David from Ada, OK
It's time to start discussing the draft. Are they having one this year and are we planning on going?
It's not time to start discussing the draft.
Shawn from Moore County, NC
Are there any plans to make downtown Jax more exciting or vibrant on game day besides the stadium and a hotel?
Jaguars President Mark Lamping and Jaguars Owner Shad Khan have talked often and consistently about the need for a dynamic entertainment district in the stadium area. This will continue to be among the team's objectives.
Fred from Naples, FL
Do you believe now that Roy Robertson-Harris has been traded to Seattle that the Jags will move Arik Armstead back to his more natural position at defensive tackle?
I doubt it.
Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA
I thought the stadium was supposed to be completely new construction? I can relate to renovations and hope the best for the workers trying to make an engineer's plans work in the real world. Best of luck! Maybe there is hope of a grass field remaining!
The Jaguars' Stadium of the Future never was to be new construction. The plan is and always was for a complete renovation.
Eric from Columbus, IN
Speaking of getting a chance to play inside … how about this Armstead guy they got all this money from *checks notes* playing inside. Why pay for JHA and draft Travon to then experiment with a quality interior veteran on the outside? Make it make sense.
The Jaguas signed Arik Armstead with the idea of playing him on the outside as a defensive end. That was the plan and that from all indications remains the plan.
Marcus from Jax
Is the 2024 free agency class the worst in team history? With the exception of Mitch Morse, all the other free agents have either been non-factors, or have been actively hurting the team.
The Jaguars have had their share of disappointing free agents in their history. This season's free-agent class has yet to make a significant contribution as a whole.
Joe from Living in St. Johns, down by the river.
John, we need Dewey back in the line-up, he will energize these talented yet under performing players.
Getting safety Andrew Wingard back certainly wouldn't hurt.
