The Jacksonville Jaguars earned a visit to the playoffs in 2022 throughout head coach Doug Pederson’s first 12 months in cost.
The Jaguars ended a five-year playoff drought and mounted an inconceivable comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers within the wild-card spherical. Final season’s success raised expectations for 2023.
Star quarterback Trevor Lawrence was getting into his third NFL season, and Professional Bowl large receiver Calvin Ridley was reinstated. Ridley was added to a receiver room that already featured Christian Kirk and Zay Jones.
However Jacksonville had a disappointing 2023 marketing campaign, dropping 5 of its ultimate six video games. The Jaguars ended the 12 months with a 9-8 file and missed the postseason. The problems down the stretch sparked conversations about whether or not the staff’s basic supervisor and head coach have been at odds.
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Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke of the Jacksonville Jaguars speak throughout a sport towards the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Stadium Aug. 26, 2023, in Jacksonville. (Perry Knotts/Getty Photographs)
Common supervisor Trent Baalke shortly rejected any suggestion of dysfunction between two of the group’s high choice makers.
“A number of what’s written, plenty of the narratives on the market are simply false,” the Jaguars basic supervisor mentioned earlier this week in a press convention. “Plan and easy, false narratives.”
JAGUARS GM VOWS TO TACKLE TREVOR LAWRENCE’S CONTRACT EXTENSION AT ‘APPROPRIATE TIME’
Baalke added that he maintained a powerful relationship with Pederson regardless of the season’s tough ending.
“While you undergo powerful instances, you discover out loads about lots of people,” Baalke mentioned. “The season didn’t finish the way in which we wished it to. We had some sturdy conversations all year long [about] the place issues have been at and the place issues have been trending. Nice communication, nice collaboration and actually respect him and every thing that he does.”
Doug Pederson talks with Trent Baalke, basic supervisor of the Jacksonville Jaguars, throughout a press convention introducing him as the brand new head coach at TIAA Financial institution Stadium Feb. 5, 2022, in Jacksonville. (James Gilbert/Getty Photographs)
Baalke and Pederson will each possible be below appreciable strain to proper the ship in 2024. Baalke might be tasked with making a call on Lawrence’s long-term future with the staff.
The Jaguars may let Lawrence play out the 2024 season, the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal, or they might decide up his fifth-year choice, which might tie the younger quarterback to the franchise by way of the 2025 season.
Baalke spoke with reporters Thursday and steered the group is open to getting a long-term deal finished with Lawrence sooner or later earlier than the 2024 season kicks off.
Trent Baalke, basic supervisor of the Jacksonville Jaguars, proper, throughout a press convention introducing Doug Pederson as the brand new head coach of the Jags at TIAA Financial institution Stadium Feb. 5, 2022, in Jacksonville. (James Gilbert/Getty Picture)
However he cautioned that contract talks wouldn’t be rushed and would solely occur when the timing is true.
“So far as Trevor and the long-term relationship with this staff, there’s little doubt in that,” Baalke mentioned. “We’re going to get one thing finished on the acceptable time.”
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Baalke additionally expressed confidence about having the ability to work out a deal to retain Jaguars star cross rusher Josh Allen. The 2-time Professional Bowler is scheduled to enter free company when the brand new league 12 months begins in March.
Allen completed the 2023 season with 17½ sacks. However Baalke strongly hinted the 26-year-old Allen wouldn’t be on the open marketplace for very lengthy.
“Yeah, Josh might be a Jaguar,” Baalke mentioned.
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