As Khan’s assertion notes, Baalke will stay in place for 2025. The previous 49ers GM has been on the helm of the Jaguars since 2021, predating Pederson’s arrival. The collective struggles the pair has endured over the previous two years led many to consider sweeping adjustments could possibly be made this offseason.
Main as much as “Black Monday,” nevertheless, it remained unclear which means Khan was leaning. Whereas many across the league predicted Baalke could be dismissed, the information of Pederson’s firing comes as no shock.
Jacksonville went 9-8 in Pederson’s first yr with the group, and a run to the divisional spherical of the playoffs provided optimism he and quarterback Trevor Lawrence would be capable of string collectively a sustained run of success.
Issues took a downward flip final yr, although, with a second-half collapse leaving the group out of the playoffs. Pederson, thus, more and more discovered himself on the recent seat because the 2024 marketing campaign progressed.
Khan made it clear he had excessive expectations for the Jaguars primarily based on their roster, however the group began 0-4. A playoff berth was, subsequently, out of attain early, and Pederson discovered himself among the many coaches at risk of being fired halfway by way of the marketing campaign.
Khan remained affected person on that entrance, as he usually has throughout his possession tenure. Nonetheless, indicators continued to level to dismissal after the marketing campaign, the newest being assistants on Pederson’s workers admitting they anticipated main adjustments to be made.
With a 4-13 season within the books (leaving Pederson with an general mark of 22-29 in Duval County), that has now proved to be the case. The Jaguars be a part of the Jets, Saints, Bears and Patriots as groups in want of a brand new coach, and Khan — who has not been involved with potential candidates but — will start his newest search. Apparently, NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero notes the Jags’ subsequent coach will report on to Khan, not Baalke.
Experiences of a rift between Baalke and Pederson emerged in September, so a training change bringing with it a brand new energy construction within the group is a notable growth. With Lawrence on the books long run, discovering a coach able to maximizing his potential shall be an apparent precedence (though that was, in fact, additionally the case when Pederson was employed). Whereas Baalke is protected for now, he’ll little doubt stay the topic of scrutiny shifting ahead.
Pederson, 56, spent 5 seasons on the helm of the Eagles. That stretch included a Tremendous Bowl championship, and after solely a one-year absence following his Philadelphia dismissal, he took one other HC gig with Jacksonville. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how he proceeds through the 2025 hiring cycle as one of the crucial skilled coaches in the marketplace.
