Jacksonville Jaguars rumors: The Jaguars already made their first big move amid a disappointing season by firing general manager David Caldwell. As the team begins to wind down another year, one it would love to forget, more changes could be looming.
Jacksonville will have a foundation to build off of heading into the offseason, with two first-round picks in a loaded 2021 NFL Draft class and plenty of cap space. For this team to reverse years of sub-.500 records, though, it is seeking a voice who can lead this team and create a winning culture.
While head coach Doug Marrone remains the head coach, his days in Jacksonville could be numbered. The 2021 NFL offseason hasn’t begun yet, but speculation is already building regarding what this team might do.
Let’s take a look at the latest Jacksonville Jaguars rumors.
Update: Dec. 14, 3 PM EST
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Jacksonville Jaguars rumors: Urban Meyer a candidate to replace Doug Marrone?
The Texas Longhorns made a run at legendary college football coach Urban Meyer, but were ultimately turned down. Despite Texas offering plenty of money, Meyer made it clear he would only return to coaching for the perfect situation.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, that situation might be in Jacksonville. The 56-year-old has reportedly been intrigued by the possibility of transitioning the NFL and Breer suggests Meyer is a name to keep an eye on for the Jaguars this offseason.
Meyer has never coached at the NFL level, but his success at the collegiate level is better than anyone being considered by NFL teams.
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Across 17 seasons, Meyer owns a 187-32 record with three national championships, two SEC titles and three Big Ten titles. He took the Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes to the top of the college football world, all while seeing countless players develop and later achieve stardom in the NFL.
As Breer notes, team owner Shad Khan is reportedly looking to build the Jaguars around a coach. With that, comes the opportunity to have the final say in the construction of a 53-man roster.
If Meyer decided now is the time to become an NFL head coach, Jacksonville could be the right opportunity. The Jaguars will likely have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, putting them in the perfect position to draft Ohio State Buckeyes star quarterback Justin Fields.
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Jacksonville Jaguars rumors: Could Doug Marrone be out of a job?
In addition to having lost 12 consecutive games, the Jaguars are 12-33 in their past 45 games under Marrone. It’s a shocking regression given that the team went 10-6 and earned a trip to the AFC Championship Game back in 2017.
Despite Jacksonville Jaguars rumors suggesting Marrone could be on the hot seat, he was retained following the firing of the team’s general manager. At this point, it stands to reason that Marrone will finish out the season as Jacksonville’s head coach before hitting the unemployment line come January.
The sense that these Jaguars are delaying the inevitable fits in with a narrative that this organization is not well run under owner Shahid Khan. Why not make the move right now given the issues we’re seeing in Duval? All said, Marrone is now 23-40 as the Jaguars’ head coach.
Jacksonville Jaguars rumors: Where to go from here
Assuming Marrone is given his walking papers following the 2020 season, Jacksonville’s first order of business will be to find another head coach. The focus here could very well be on an offensive-minded head coach to either help Minshew improve under center or work with a rookie quarterback next season.
As of right now, these Jaguars would have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Our latest mock has the Jaguars landing a top quarterback with the second selection. If the top-two picks were to play out like this, adding someone to help said quarterback makes the most sense.
As it stands right now, these Jaguars are among the least-talented teams in the NFL. Marrone is in over his head in his current role. The expectation following Jacksonville’s 12th consecutive loss is that things will change dramatically once the offseason comes calling. Right now, the status quo is not working.
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