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Pederson, who turned 54 on Monday, was out of the NFL for the
2021 season after the Eagles fired him last January.
In his five seasons in Philadelphia, he produced a 42-37-1
record and earned three playoff berths. The Eagles won Super
Bowl LII following the 2017 season, beating Tom Brady and the
New England Patriots 41-33.
According to ESPN, the Jaguars interviewed 10 candidates to fill
the head-coaching vacancy created after they fired Urban Meyer
in mid-December following on-field and off-field issues. The
team was 2-11 under Meyer and went 1-3 under interim head coach
Darrell Bevell, who also reportedly got an interview for the
permanent role.
Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Tampa
Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich both had two
interviews with the Jaguars this month, according to ESPN and
CBS Sports. Eberflus subsequently was hired to be the Chicago
Bears' head coach.
The Jaguars also expressed interest in Nathaniel Hackett, with
varying media reports indicating that he got one or two
interviews with Jacksonville, but the former Green Bay Packers
offensive coordinator got the job as the Denver Broncos' head
coach.
Jacksonville's 3-14 record this season was the worst in the NFL,
assuring the Jaguars of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for
the second year in a row. Last April, Jacksonville selected
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the top pick, and he
started every game as a rookie. Lawrence threw for 3,641 yards
and 12 touchdowns but was intercepted 17 times, which tied for
most in the NFL with Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
Pederson's resume likely led the Jaguars to believe he could
help Lawrence progress.
Pederson was the Eagles' quarterback coach in 2011-12 before
serving the next three seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs'
offensive coordinator. After returning to Philadelphia as head
coach, he oversaw the early career success of QB Carson Wentz
before Nick Foles took over for an injured Wentz in the 2017-18
playoffs and propelled the Eagles to the championship.
With Pederson's hiring, there remain four vacancies for the nine
head-coaching jobs that were open after the 2021 regular season
ended, with current openings in Houston, Miami, Minnesota and
New Orleans.
--Field Level Media
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