Black Monday has claimed its first — and perhaps most predictable — victim.
The Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson on Monday morning, the day after a dismal 4-13 season ended, according to multiple reports.
Owner Shad Khan revealed in a statement that GM Trent Baalke will remain with the team and be a part of the process to hire Pederson’s replacement.
“As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interest of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded,” Khan said.
Pederson took over the dumpster fire left by Urban Meyer’s one monumentally awful season.
He led the Jaguars to an AFC South тιтle and thrilling wild-card win over the Chargers in his first season in 2022 before the team took drastic steps backwards in his two following seasons.
Jacksonville started 8-3 last season before losing five of their final six games, falling to the тιтans on the season’s final day to hand the AFC South тιтle to the Texans.
The bad vibes carried over to 2024 with an 0-4 start that the team was unable to recover from.
“The time to summon new leadership is now,” Khan said. “I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago. I will collaborate with general manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is really to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville.”
Pederson failed to develop former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence into the franchise-altering quarterback many hoped he would become.
Lawrence, who signed a five-year, $275 million extension in June, had thrown 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season before suffering a season-ending concussion on Dec. 1.
The Jets, Bears and Saints all fired their coaches during the season, while the Patriots axed Jerod Mayo on Sunday night after one season.
Pederson, who led the Eagles to a Super Bowl in 2018, finishes his Jacksonville tenure 22-29.
