Doug Pederson explains why the Jaguars were the job he wanted: ‘This team is not that far off’

Doug Pederson did not sugarcoat the patience it will take for the Jacksonville Jaguars to change the culture and build a winning organization. Despite Jacksonville sporting an NFL worst 47-130 record over the last 11 years (.266 win percentage), Pederson wanted this job over all the other ones available. 

“When I looked at this team and when I evaluated this roster, this team is not that far off quite honestly,” Pederson said on CBS Sports HQ Tuesday. “Are we there? No, of course not. We still need some draft picks. We still need some free agents. We got some holes to fill, but the talent is there. I’m excited about the young quarterback, Trevor (Lawrence), and the young talent on this roster. That’s what drew me to Jacksonville. I’m excited about that and I’m excited to work with these guys.” 

The Jaguars have finished last in the AFC South for four consecutive years, territory unfamiliar to Pederson. He went 42-37-1 in his five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning two NFC East titles and taking the franchise to three consecutive playoff appearances (2017 to 2019). Pederson turned the Eagles around in a hurry, becoming one of just 11 head coaches to win the Super Bowl in his first two seasons as a head coach.

The first step Pederson wants to establish is the culture, an approach he wants to be authentic as he is with his bosses and his players. 

“I think you come in and you show people who you are,” Pederson said. “Be Doug Pederson. That’s the thing you try to do in this profession. I want organizations like Philadelphia did, like what Jacksonville is doing now — to see me who I am. When we win on the football field, the entire organization wins. That’s how you change the culture.” 

Lawrence is another factor in Pederson taking the Jacksonville job, a player the new head coach can’t wait to work with. Lawrence finished his rookie season completing 59.6% of his passes for 3,641 yards with 12 touchdowns to 17 interceptions (71.9 rating). Of the 31 qualified quarterbacks, Lawrence was 29th in completion percentage, 31st in touchdown percentage (2.0%), 24th in interception percentage (2.8%), 31st in yards per attempt (6.0), and 30th in quarterback rating.

Pederson is just throwing that rookie season in the trash. The Jaguars head coach is starting over with the former No. 1 overall pick, a wise move for both parties. 

“We’re taking him from the ground floor. We’re kinda treating this like it’s his rookie season. We’re starting over,” Pederson said. “We can lean on some of the successes that he had, but at the same time we’re going to formulate our own plan with Trevor. We’re going to build from the ground up. 

“He’s ready and eager to really start breaking it down and building it back up.”