The Jacksonville Jaguars have been a disaster this season.
After a brutal loss to the Chicago Bears in London, the Jags dropped to 1-5 on the season, good for the worst record in the NFL. The Jags season has been such a disaster that even those in the building are decrying the need for change.
“We play a 17-game schedule, so we’ve got a few more games left,” head coach Doug Pederson said after the game, per ESPN. “Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We’ve got to change. I say we, it’s all of us — coaches, players, everybody. We’ve got to change right now that culture.
“Otherwise, it just gets out of control. We’re on a slippery slope, or right on the cusp of that slope. At some point we’ve got to [say] enough is enough, and you’ve got to have enough pride and figure out a way.”
Pederson wasn’t the only Jaguar to talk about what needs to change. Safety Andre Cisco did not hold back in his assessment of the team.
“It was really bad,” Cisco said. “I just … I feel like it was … how should I say this … a lot of quit. Last line of defense in a situation like that you could feel when we’re playing as one and when we’re not. It felt very early in the game, maybe at halftime, that we weren’t playing as one. Guys got to understand, when you’re out there, you’re really playing for your brother. You’re putting guys in vulnerable positions whether that’s physically or just from a career aspect.
“… Sunday, when it counts, we understand that’s the hardest part, but there’s no excuse for lack of effort. That’s literally the least you can do, is come out and give effort. I’m saying that to myself, too.”
If players are speaking out so openly about players not giving effort on the biggest stage, it probably means Pederson has lost the locker room and that major changes will be coming to Jacksonville soon.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.