Doug Pederson's job status was put into question immediately following Jacksonville's historic loss to the Lions on Sunday, with the head coach saying he "can't control" a potential firing and that "if it's going to happen, it's going to happen."
On Monday, no such move was made by the Jaguars as Pederson took the podium for his regularly scheduled press conference. Asked if there had been any progress in potential changes to his staff -- something he said was in consideration on Sunday -- Pederson said he's "still evaluating" the situation but wasn't interested in singling people out.
"I think you got to be really, really careful when you start pointing fingers at certain people," Pederson said when asked about defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's job status. "That's a dangerous thing, and I'm not going to do that. Not doing it. Not right now. As a head coach in this league that's going through what we're going through, you're pointing a finger. And if it needs to be pointed, it needs to be pointed it at me. Start with me. That's enough on that."
Asked if a play-calling adjustment was in the works, Pederson concluded, "Everything's on the table."
Sunday's 52-6 defeat marked the most points ever allowed in any game by the Jaguars and the -46 point differential was the biggest loss in the franchise's 30-season history. The embarrassing blowout that dropped Jacksonville to 2-9 couldn't have come at a worse time for Pederson.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that Jacksonville could be in for a complete regime change depending on Sunday's result in Detroit.
If there was ever an ideal time to make such a drastic midseason change, it would be during a team's bye, which the Jaguars enter in Week 12. Pederson said he spoke with owner Shad Khan following Sunday's game but wasn't scheduled to meet with the Jaguars owner on Monday.
"I would definitely have a conversation with them first, if that were the case, but we're not there," Pederson said when asked if he'd speak with Khan before making any potential changes to his staff.
Frustrations in Duval are mounting as the Jaguars slinched a losing season for the third time in the last five seasons. 2024 figured to be an upswing in Pederson's third season at the helm, but instead Jacksonville is currently positioned to hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Injuries have played a role, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence nursing a left shoulder injury that has kept him out of the last two games, but the Jaguars' struggles this season persisted long before then. Through Week 11, Jacksonville ranks 29th in total offense (290.8 yards per game) and last in defense (413.7 yards allowed per game).
Pederson maintained he will be doing everything in his power to right the ship, but in his mind, this week's bye is an opportune time to recuperate and readjust.
"This is an exhausted team right now," Pederson said, "and we need this week to get rejuvenated again, get fresh again, get ready to go for the last six weeks."
