Following yet another disappointing game that saw the Jacksonville Jaguars lose 35-16 to the Chicago Bears, head coach Doug Pederson is calling for immediate cultural changes within the team. He emphasized the urgency for a shift in attitude, stating that failure to adapt could lead to a complete meltdown of their already struggling season.
After the game held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Pederson expressed frustration with the team’s lack of cohesion and effort. He pointed out that the Jaguars must unite as a team if they hope to salvage their season. “We play a 17-game schedule, so we’ve got a few more games left,” he said. “Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We’ve got to change. I say we, it’s all of us-coaches, players, everybody.”
Jacksonville Jaguars train ahead of NFL double-header in London
Signs of a defeatist attitude
The situation appeared more critical than Pederson anticipated, as safety Andre Cisco revealed postgame that several defensive players seemed to quit during the second half. Cisco noted, “It was really bad… a lot of quit.” He explained that the lack of collective effort puts teammates in vulnerable positions and that every player must step up for one another.
Controllable mistakes haunt the Jaguars
Despite Pederson initially praising his team’s effort, it became evident that controllable mistakes plagued the Jaguars once again. Key players missed crucial opportunities, leading to penalties and turnovers that compounded their woes. The defense’s inability to pressure Bears quarterback Caleb Williams only exacerbated their struggles.
A must-win mentality
Looking ahead, Pederson has labeled the upcoming game against the New England Patriots as a must-win. With a record of 1-5, the Jaguars face a significant uphill battle to make the playoffs, a sentiment echoed by owner Shad Khan. Despite the mounting pressure, Pederson maintains he still has Khan’s support, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence affirmed the team’s faith in their coach.
“That’s our head coach, and we’re a team,” Lawrence stated. “This is tough. Losing is hard… but we know brighter days are ahead.”
