The Jacksonville Jaguars have sacked Doug Pederson after three seasons as their head coach.
After winning just four games in two years before Pederson’s appointment in 2022, the Jaguars had a 9-8 record in his first two seasons.
The Jaguars also earned a play-off win in his first season but Pederson, 56, has now made way after stumbling to a 4-13 record this term.
“Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career,” said team owner Shahid Khan.
“As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now.”
Pederson is the second NFL head coach to be sacked following the final regular-season games on Sunday, with Jerod Mayo leaving the New England Patriots.
Pederson led the Philadelphia Eagles to their first and only Super Bowl win in 2018 and was the Jaguars’ fifth permanent head coach since Khan’s takeover in 2012.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was handed a five-year contract extension last summer worth a reported $275m (£216m) but the former number one draft pick had multiple injuries this season.
The Jaguars have also agreed a deal worth $1.4bn (£1.15bn) to renovate their stadium.
They have played annual games in London since 2013 and could play multiple home games overseas while their ground is being upgraded.
“I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago,” added Khan, who is now looking to “hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville”.
