JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars’ late-season collapse in 2023 nonetheless bothers proprietor Shad Khan.
A lot in order that when requested about it on Wednesday he known as the 1-5 end that value the Jaguars an AFC South division title and playoff spot an organizational failure.
“You fail as a corporation,” Khan stated after a information convention alongside Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan to have fun the settlement between the Jaguars and the town on a $1.4 billion stadium renovation undertaking. “I have a look at it as an organizational failure.
“… After we speak to the gamers — Trevor [Lawrence], Josh [Allen], all of those gamers I talked to — it is like, ‘How might this occur?'”
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There have been a number of causes for the stumble after an 8-3 begin. Among the many most problematic have been:
Too many accidents, particularly to receivers Christian Kirk (groin) and Zay Jones (knee) and Lawrence (ankle, shoulder, concussion). Ten starters or key gamers missed a mixed 48 video games.
The run sport struggled. The Jaguars had the second-most runs within the league that went for no achieve or a loss (120), and a league-high 26.5% of their rushes both gained 0 yards or misplaced yardage.
Defensive points, most notably missed tackles (126, the fourth most within the league, per Professional Soccer Reference) and a stark decline in stopping the run (they gave up 44.4 extra yards per sport on the bottom within the closing six weeks than they did within the first 12).
The one sport the Jaguars received within the closing six weeks got here towards the Carolina Panthers, a 26-0 shutout during which Lawrence missed the one sport of his three-year profession due to a shoulder damage. Jacksonville misplaced to Tennessee 28-20 within the regular-season finale after failing to get into the top zone on consecutive downs from the 1-yard line with seven minutes to play and receiver Calvin Ridley dropping what might have been a landing go with two minutes to play.
So despite the fact that the Jaguars completed with a successful document (9-8) for the second season in a row — one thing the franchise hadn’t completed since 2004-05 — the season was a large disappointment that also bothers Khan almost six months later.
“Not to have the ability to win two out of the final six video games, it nonetheless stings,” Khan stated. “Despite the fact that the season’s over, it is like I nonetheless cannot imagine we could not do it.”
However recalling the collapse could not carry Khan down on the day after the Jacksonville metropolis council voted 14-1 to approve an settlement between the group and metropolis on a $1.4 billion renovation of EverBank Stadium.
The deal brings the Jaguars one step nearer to securing the long-term stability of the franchise, with the ultimate hurdle getting the settlement accepted by 24 of the NFL’s 32 homeowners on the league’s conferences in October in Atlanta.
The Jaguars and the town have agreed to every contribute $625 million to the renovation, however the metropolis additionally has agreed to pay $150 million over the subsequent two seasons on upkeep and repairs to arrange the stadium for development. Meaning the town might be liable for 55% of the whole value.
“Lots has modified from the inaugural season for the Weavers [original owners Wayne and Delores] in 1995, to my first 12 months in 2012, proper by way of to right now as we put together to have fun the Jaguars’ thirtieth anniversary within the NFL,” Khan stated. “However there’s been one fixed all through: Everybody needs to doubt Jacksonville. As of final night time, that ought to now not be the case. Not a very good day for the Doubting Thomases.”
Mentioned Deegan, a Jacksonville native: “I hope you all imagine now.”