Doug Pederson remains confident in his position as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite the team’s recent struggles, including a 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears in London. The defeat dropped the Jaguars to a disappointing 1-5 record, marred by critical penalties and mistakes, including four touchdown passes allowed to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
When questioned about the support from Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Pederson expressed his belief in Khan’s backing, citing a recent conversation with him. “I do. I was just with him, and I do,” Pederson stated during a press conference.
As the Jaguars prepare for a crucial upcoming matchup against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium, Pederson emphasized the importance of winning moving forward. “If we want to get back to playing the type of football we know we can play, you’re going to have to win a lot of games moving forward,” he remarked, acknowledging that the stakes are high.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence echoed Pederson’s sentiments, affirming that the team stands united behind their head coach. “This is tough. Losing is hard. It’s hard. So it has nothing to do with that relationship,” Lawrence said, underscoring the team’s commitment to each other despite the setbacks. He stated that they need to improve their gameplay, highlighting the need for better teamwork.
In the loss against the Bears, the Jaguars were penalized eight times for a total of 43 yards, including some crucial mistakes during key drives. Pederson took responsibility for the team’s performance, stating, “It’s not just coaching, not just players. It’s all of us, and that’s where it has to start.”
Addressing the need for improved performance under pressure, Pederson acknowledged that overcoming mistakes is essential for the Jaguars. “Those are things that are plaguing us. It’s the mistakes and then being able to overcome the mistake,” he remarked.
Despite the rough start, Lawrence remains optimistic about the remainder of the season. “We got 11 more games, so there’s definitely a way back,” he stated, emphasizing the long road ahead for the Jaguars to turn their season around.
