Some people may be fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but let’s face it, there are far more people who are NOT fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars. This 2024 NFL team preview is for those in the latter group.

Your team, which I will aptly refer to as “Lemon Bar: The Team,” has had its fair share of disappointments. In the beginning of the 2023 season, things were looking up for the Jags. They made a stunning comeback from being down 27-0 in the playoffs the previous year and won eight of their first 11 games. But then, the wheels came off.

The Jags lost five of their final six games, including an embarrassing overtime loss to Jake Browning and a game where their own waterboy cost them a timeout. They even let a Medicare-eligible Joe Flacco throw three touchdowns against them. It was a season filled with ridiculous moments and questionable decisions, including giving a company card to an employee who proceeded to charge a ridiculous amount of expenses to it.

Despite all the chaos, the Jags were still in contention for a playoff spot in the final week of the season. All they had to do was beat a lackluster Titans team that had already given up on the season. But of course, they couldn’t get the job done and missed the playoffs once again. It’s safe to say that the Jags are no longer the up-and-coming team they were a year ago. They’re just the Jaguars again.

Your coach, Doug Pederson, had a promising first season as the head coach, but he’ll need to prove himself once again if he wants to avoid being replaced by Nate Sudfeld. The team made some changes to the coaching staff, but it remains to be seen if it will make any significant difference.

As for your quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, or “Steezy Trev” as no one calls him, he received a hefty contract this off-season. The Jags are hoping he can bring some stability to the quarterback position, which has been a revolving door of mediocrity. But let’s not forget that this team has never really known what competent quarterback play looks like. So, it’s a gamble to invest so much money in a player who may end up looking amazing on his next team.

The Jags have made some changes to their roster, but it’s unclear if these changes will make a noticeable difference. The offense will rely heavily on rookie Brian Thomas Jr., as they let Calvin Ridley walk due to a contractual issue. The offensive line, despite being stacked with high draft picks, still ranks low in the projections.

On the defensive side, there have been some additions, but the overall outlook remains mediocre. The loss of key players like Darious Williams and Folorunso Fatukasi will be felt, and it’s uncertain if the new additions can fill the void.

But perhaps the biggest issue with the Jaguars is their front office. Trent Baaaaaaaaaaalke, the man responsible for bringing in Urban Meyer and Jim Tomsula, is still making important decisions for the franchise. It’s hard to have faith in a team when the person in charge has a track record of poor decision-making.

Overall, it’s hard to find anything to be excited about when it comes to the Jaguars. The team’s history of disappointment, questionable coaching decisions, and lackluster performances on the field make it difficult to believe in any significant improvement. It’s no wonder that many football fans would rather see the team relocate than continue to suffer through mediocrity.

Photo Credit; Jacksonville Magazine, Jacksonville Jaguars, Big Cat Country