When Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan boldly proclaimed in training camp that the 2024 roster was “the best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars,” expectations soared. Fresh off a promising 2023 campaign, the Jaguars aimed to establish themselves as an AFC powerhouse. Yet those lofty aspirations quickly turned to bitter disappointment.
A Season of Unfulfilled Promise
The Jaguars’ 2024 season began with a heartbreaking loss to the Miami Dolphins, foreshadowing the struggles to come. Jacksonville would go on to blow seven second-half leads, six of them in the fourth quarter alone, stumbling to a dismal 4-13 record and a last place finish in the AFC South. The same issues that plagued the 2023 Jaguars—a lack of identity, vocal leadership, and discipline—metastasized into season-wrecking flaws.
Offensive Predictability
Khan criticized the Jaguars for being “the most predictable team on both sides of the ball,” a sentiment echoed by general manager Trent Baalke. Jacksonville’s offense ranked last in pre-snap motion and relied heavily on runs between the tackles. An inability to establish a consistent ground game put immense pressure on a banged-up Trevor Lawrence, who missed eight games.
We weren’t able to run the ball consistently, effectively, the last few years and I think that really gave us trouble. It’s hard to get everything else going when that’s struggling.
Trevor Lawrence on the Jaguars’ offensive woes
Defensive Dysfunction
The Jaguars’ defense, expected to be a strength under new coordinator Ryan Nielsen, instead plummeted to the bottom of the league. Jacksonville ranked last in pass defense, 31st in total defense, and forced a league-low nine turnovers. Questionable rotations and a lack of adjustments led to communication breakdowns and coverage busts.
- 389.9 yards allowed per game – 2nd worst in franchise history
- 257.4 pass yards allowed per game – 3rd worst in franchise history
- 9 forced turnovers – Fewest in the NFL
A Rudderless Ship
As the losses piled up, the Jaguars’ locker room remained largely unified but lacked the vocal leadership to course correct. Players noted the need for more personal accountability and a fiery spark to ignite change.
We don’t take things personal enough. Everyone likes to play us because they think they’re going to have a great game. We have to change the narrative about our team.
Running back Travis Etienne Jr.
Sweeping Changes
The day after the season ended, Shad Khan fired head coach Doug Pederson, citing the need for a new direction. Yet general manager Trent Baalke was spared, tasked with hiring his third head coach in four years. For a franchise seeking stability, the Jaguars enter another offseason of upheaval.
Whether it’s an offensive coach or a defensive coach, just [hire] the guy that’s going to instill that culture, that toughness into our team and just that confidence that it doesn’t matter who we’re playing, when we’re playing, just spot the ball and we can beat anybody.
Trevor Lawrence on the Jaguars’ head coaching search
Looking Ahead
Despite the disastrous 2024 season, the Jaguars believe a quick turnaround is possible. With the No. 5 overall draft pick, ample cap space, and young building blocks like Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr., and Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville has the means to reload. But until the franchise establishes a clear vision and identity, sustained success may remain elusive.
The 2024 Jacksonville Jaguars serve as a cautionary tale of how quickly promise can give way to dysfunction. For a team desperate to escape the shadow of past failures, the path forward begins with honest self-reflection and a steadfast commitment to foundational change. The decisions made this offseason will chart the course for a franchise at a crossroads.
