In 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Doug Pederson, hoping the experienced, Super Bowl-winning head coach could help erase all the bad memories from Urban Meyer's very brief stint in Duval. It worked, in the first season, when Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars to an AFC South division title, plus a Wild Card victory after a nine-win year.
But the Jaguars finished 9-8 again in 2023, only this time, leaving them without a spot in the postseason. Now, with more pressure on Coach Pederson after missing the playoffs, the Jags have started the season 0-3, with their most recent loss being by 37 points in primetime.
Needless to say, outsiders are starting to wonder how warm Pederson's seat is getting. Now, NFL insiders are starting to speak up too.
Related: Past comments from Jacksonville Jaguars owner seemingly put Doug Pederson on hot seat
How much longer will Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan tolerate lackluster results? He's owned the team since 2012, and Doug Pederson is already the fifth full-time head coach to roam the sidelines in Duval County.
Coming into the season, Khan spoke about how he felt this year's Jaguars were the "best team assembled by Jacksonville, ever." Yet, that's not what the results show thus far. Should the Jaguars continue to struggle as they hit the road to face the Houston Texans in Week 4, it's not unreasonable to think Pederson gets his walking papers.
If so, who becomes a top candidate to fill the Jaguars' coaching vacancy? Sports Illustrated's NFL insider Albert Breer recently connected the dots linking future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick to the Jaguars.
Belichick remains just 26 victories away from tying Don Shula for the most wins by a head coach in NFL history. By joining the Jaguars, he'd have a chance to take over a team that believes they already have their franchise quarterback, he'd just have to make sure he gets the right coaches in place to help Lawrence reach his potential.
Teams weren't interested in hiring Belichick during this past offseason, but if you're Khan, you can't go wrong linking up with an all-time football great.