The Jaguars made many coaching changes on Monday, and one outgoing coach is speaking out.
The day after his team was eliminated from playoff contention, Doug Pederson fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell, defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend, inside linebackers coach Tony Gilbert, safeties coach Cody Grimm, senior defensive assistant Bob Sutton, and defensive quality control coaches Tee Mitchell and Sean Cullina.
NFL insider Josina Anderson tweeted that a Jacksonville coach told her, "The solutions are leaving, and the problems are staying."
The coach claims the Jaguars' offense is the issue, although everyone contributed to their downfall.
despite an 8-3 start, the Jaguars went 1-5 in the final six weeks, including a 6-11 defeat to the Titans in Week 18, missing the playoffs despite being a heavy favorite to win the AFC South.
Anderson highlighted that the defense dropped from 12th in points allowed per game from Weeks 1-12 to 26th from Weeks 13-18. And the offense was poor.
They averaged 21.2 points in their first 11 games and 20.5 in their six-game skid to finish the season.
Coaches in trouble typically blame their coordinators. Sean McDermott replaced offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey after Week 10 this year, and Buffalo won the AFC East thanks to an improved defense. Weeks 1-10: Bills defense ranked 19th in anticipated points added per play and 23rd in success percentage; Weeks 11-18: Fourth in EPA and 11th in success rate.
If Pederson righteous, Jacksonville may follow suit. For the Jaguars to advance, the offense must improve.
Pederson's top choice, 2021 NFL Draft quarterback Trevor Lawerence, regressed after a promising first year. His quarterback rating, completion %, and touchdown rate declined, while his interception rate rose 1.1 percentage points.
Jaguars coach Pederson said the firings were "on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball." after Anderson's post.
Assistant offensive line coach Todd Washington and running backs coach Bernie Parmelee were dismissed, according to NFL source Ian Rapoport.
The Jags' offensive line was their worst problem, ranking 29th in ESPN's pass-block win-rate and 27th in run-blocking. Jacksonville was 30th in run yards per carry.
Pederson must hope his modifications get the Jaguars to the playoffs next season. He'll be the issue otherwise.