The Jacksonville Jaguars faced a tumultuous 2023 season that started with promise but ended in disappointment. With an initial 8-3 record, the Jaguars seemed poised for a strong finish, only to falter in the latter half of the season, going 1-5 in their final six games. This decline cost them the AFC South division title and a playoff berth.
The team's struggles were compounded by injuries to key players, including receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Altogether, ten starters or critical players missed a combined 48 games, severely impacting the team's performance on both sides of the ball.
Offensive Woes
The offensive line's difficulties became evident as the Jaguars recorded the second-most runs in the league resulting in no gain or a loss, with 120 such runs. A staggering 26.5% of their rushes ended in zero or negative yardage, further stymieing their offensive efforts.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who missed the pivotal game against the Carolina Panthers due to a shoulder injury, was a significant loss. Despite this, the Jaguars managed a 26-0 shutout victory against the Panthers, their sole win during their slump.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, the Jaguars also faced challenges, recording 126 missed tackles, the fourth most in the league. In the final six weeks, the defense allowed an additional 44.4 yards per game on the ground compared to the first 12 weeks, highlighting the team's decline.
Season's End
The season concluded with a 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans, bringing the Jaguars' final record to 9-8. Despite the disappointment, this marked the second consecutive winning season for the Jaguars, a first since the 2004-05 seasons. Reflecting on the season, owner Shad Khan remarked, "You fail as an organization. I look at it as an organizational failure." He added, "Not to be able to win two out of the last six games, it still stings. Even though the season's over, it's like I still can't believe we couldn't do it."
Future Outlook
In a significant development off the field, the Jacksonville city council approved a $1.4 billion renovation plan for EverBank Stadium by a 14-1 vote. The renovation costs will be evenly split between the Jaguars and the city, with each contributing $625 million. Additionally, the city committed an extra $150 million over the next two seasons for stadium maintenance and repairs, bringing their total contribution to 55% of the costs. This agreement is still pending approval from 24 out of the NFL's 32 owners.
Speaking on these developments, Shad Khan reflected on the franchise's journey: "A lot has changed from the inaugural season for the Weavers in 1995, to my first year in 2012, right through to today as we prepare to celebrate the Jaguars' 30th anniversary in the NFL. But there's been one constant throughout: Everyone wants to doubt Jacksonville. As of last night, that should no longer be the case. Not a good day for the Doubting Thomases." His sentiment was echoed by Mayor Donna Deegan, who simply stated, "I hope you all believe now."
The Jaguars' season might not have ended as hoped, but with back-to-back winning seasons and significant investments in their future home, there is an air of cautious optimism. Both the organization and its supporters are hopeful that better days are on the horizon for this resilient franchise.