Jaguars owner Shad Khan has publicly backed general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson despite the team’s rough 1-4 start to the season. Speaking to the Florida Times-Union in London, Khan admitted his disappointment with the early results but stressed his belief in the long-term potential of the team.
He expressed confidence in the coaching staff, players, and the overall infrastructure of the organization, emphasizing that his primary focus is on how the Jaguars finish the season rather than how they began it. Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears is seen as a pivotal moment.
Although the team has struggled, Khan pointed out that the losses, aside from a heavy defeat to the Buffalo Bills, have been close contests, with the Jaguars losing three games by a combined 12 points. The first win of the season came against the Indianapolis Colts, thanks to a dramatic late field goal. Despite this narrow victory, Khan believes the team is capable of more and that the Jaguars have been in competitive positions to win several of their early games, indicating potential for improvement as the season progresses.
Khan set high expectations for the team before the season, declaring this to be the best roster the Jaguars have ever assembled. He reminded the team that winning now is the expectation. However, history shows that only one team, the 1992 San Diego Chargers, has reached the playoffs after starting 0-4. The Jaguars’ current situation is challenging, especially with a tough upcoming schedule and mounting injuries to key players, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has underperformed in the early weeks of the season.
Last year, the Jaguars managed to bounce back from a 2-6 record to win the AFC South and make the playoffs, a feat that highlights the resilience the team is capable of under Pederson’s leadership. However, this season poses even greater difficulties, with a daunting set of remaining games and injuries to critical players like wide receiver Christian Kirk and Lawrence.
Despite these challenges, the team finished with winning records in both 2022 and 2023, marking a significant improvement for a franchise that had previously endured 10 losing seasons in 11 years.
In reflecting on the team’s recent progress, Khan expressed optimism about the Jaguars’ trajectory. He emphasized that the expectation is to be competitive and winning every year, a standard he believes the team is now capable of meeting.
Khan remains confident in both the coaching staff and players, expecting everyone in the organization to embrace the pressure to win. He believes the Jaguars are building a winning culture and hopes that this season’s early struggles will be a stepping stone to sustained success.
