27th season in franchise history
The 2021 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 27th season in the National Football League (NFL). This was their only season under head coach Urban Meyer and first under general manager Trent Baalke.
Jacksonville had the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, which they used to select Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars came into the season with a 15-game losing streak from the last season. The losing streak continued this season as the Jaguars started 0–5, before defeating the Miami Dolphins 23–20 in London. To date, the 2020–21 Jaguars' 20-game losing streak is the third longest losing streak in NFL history, after the 1976–77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (26) and 1942–45 Chicago Cardinals (29).
The Jaguars finished 3–14, improving upon their 1–15 record from the previous season. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention for the fourth straight year, following a Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans.[1] The Jaguars clinched the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, becoming the first team since the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 and 2018 Drafts to have the top pick in back-to-back years.[2]
On December 16, after less than a year and following repeated scandals involving the team, Meyer was fired as head coach and replaced with Darrell Bevell for the remainder of the season.[3][4]
Season summary
The team was criticized by the media following repeated scandals involving the team, with head coach Urban Meyer the most caught up in multiple scandals. During the offseason, some of Meyer's staff hires and free agent signings received backlash. In February, former Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle, who had left that job due to allegations of racism and bullying players, was hired as the Jaguars' strength coach before fan backlash led to him resigning one day later.[5] In addition, the signing of former Florida and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow as a tight end was criticized as a publicity grab,[6][7] especially as Tebow had not played a down of football since the 2015 preseason and was eventually cut after the first preseason game.[8] On July 1, 2021, the Jaguars were fined $200,000 and Meyer was fined $100,000 for OTA violations.[9] The NFLPA then investigated the Jaguars after Meyer claimed that vaccination status was taken into account when deciding the roster cuts.[10]
In October, a video surfaced appearing to show Meyer inappropriately touching a woman who was not his wife while he was at his Columbus-area restaurant, Urban Meyer's Pint House, following a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Jaguars owner Shahid Khan said that Meyer's behavior had been "inexcusable" and that Meyer "must regain our trust and respect". Meyer later apologized to the team and personnel.[11]
Meyer was also criticized for benching running back James Robinson during losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.[12] During the loss to the Rams, Meyer claimed that Robinson's benching was "injury-related" and quarterback Trevor Lawrence had to request to put James Robinson in.[13][14]
The tension surrounding the team got worse in December 2021, when Jaguars players and coaches were critical of Meyer's treatment of them, to which the team officially responded with assertions of Meyer's job security.[15] Meyer and wide receiver Marvin Jones got into a heated argument where Jones left the Jaguars facility. Jones returned to the facility when other staff members convinced Jones to come back, only to get into another argument with Meyer at practice.[16][17] Jones would later deny getting into an argument with Meyer.[18]
Meyer also reportedly called his assistant coaches "losers" and that he was a "winner" and challenged assistants to defend their resumes.[16] Owner Shahid Khan met with players, members of the team's business department and coaches, including Meyer following the Jaguars loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 14.[19]
On December 15, 2021, former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo alleged that Meyer kicked him in the leg during a practice in the week before the Jaguars' final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. According to Lambo, Meyer also shouted at him, "Hey dipshit, make your fucking kicks." (Lambo had missed a field goal in each of the previous two preseason games.) After Lambo told Meyer never to kick him again, Meyer responded, "I’m the head ball coach, I’ll kick you whenever the fuck I want."[20] Later that day, Lambo reported the incident to his agent, who then reported it to the Jaguars team.
Urban Meyer was fired on December 16, 2021 finishing his tenure with the Jaguars with a 2–11 (.154) record. Darrell Bevell was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[3] Prior to Meyer's dismissal, quarterback Trevor Lawrence criticized the drama affecting the team in a press conference, without naming Meyer.[21][22]
During the final week of the season, numerous Jaguars fans attended the team's home game against the Indianapolis Colts dressed as clowns in protest of unpopular moves by team management and the Jaguars' overall struggles.[23]
Offseason
Free agents
Re-signed
Players lost
Players added
Trades
NFL draft
Pre-draft trades
- The Los Angeles Rams traded their 2020 first-round selection (K'Lavon Chaisson) as well as their 2021 first (Travis Etienne) and fourth (Jordan Smith) round selections to Jacksonville in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey.[24]
- Minnesota traded their second-round selection, along with a previously-conditional 2022 fifth-round selection, to Jacksonville in exchange for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. The fifth-round selection would have upgraded to the fourth round if Ngakoue had gone to the Pro Bowl at the end of the 2020 season, but he was not named, or the third round if the Vikings had won the Super Bowl, but they were eliminated from postseason contention.[25]
- Cleveland traded a fifth-round selection to Jacksonville in exchange for safety Ronnie Harrison.[26]
- Jacksonville traded a sixth-round selection to Tennessee in exchange for a seventh-round selection and linebacker Kamalei Correa.[27]
- Jacksonville traded a seventh-round selection to New Orleans in exchange for defensive tackle Malcom Brown.[28]
Draft day trades
- The Los Angeles Rams traded their fourth-round selection (#121 overall) and sixth-round selection (#209 overall) for the Jaguars' fourth, fifth, and seventh-round selections (#130, #170, and #249 overall).[29]
Undrafted free agents
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
The Jaguars' preseason opponents were announced on May 12.[30]
Regular season
Jacksonville’s schedule was announced on May 12.[31] Ahead of the schedule release it was confirmed that the Jaguars would face the Houston Texans away to open the season and would host the Miami Dolphins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in week 6 on October 17. This was the Jaguars' eighth home game in London but their first at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.[32][33]
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Houston Texans
Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 3: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Jamal Agnew tied the record for longest play in NFL history when he returned 68-yard field goal attempt 109 yards for a touchdown.[34]
Week 4: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 5: Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: October 10
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
- Game attendance: 58,282
- Referee: Alex Kemp
- TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Tiki Barber
- Recap, Game Book
Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
NFL London games
Week 8: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 9: Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: November 7
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 58 °F (14 °C)
- Game attendance: 63,110
- Referee: Land Clark
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Jenny Dell
- Recap, Game Book
Week 10: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 10: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Date: November 14
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 60,622
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Sherree Burruss
- Recap, Game Book
Week 11: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 12: Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Week 13: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 13: Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Date: December 5
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
- Game weather: Sunny, 65 °F (18 °C)
- Game attendance: 70,801
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Game Book
Week 14: at Tennessee Titans
Week 14: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
- Date: December 12
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 44 °F (7 °C)
- Game attendance: 67,808
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Jay Feely
- Recap, Game Book
Week 15: vs. Houston Texans
Week 15: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: December 19
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C)
- Game attendance: 60,252
- Referee: Alex Kemp
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Sherree Burruss
- Recap, Game Book
Week 16: at New York Jets
Week 16: Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets – Game summary
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: December 26
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Sunny, 48 °F (9 °C)
- Game attendance: 67,120
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Jay Feely
- Recap, Game Book
Week 17: at New England Patriots
Week 17: Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots – Game summary
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: January 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,878
- Referee: Adrian Hill
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Amanda Balionis
- Recap, Game Book
Week 18: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 18: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: January 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C)
- Game attendance: 60,516
- Referee: Clay Martin
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta and AJ Ross
- Recap, Game Book
Standings
Division
Conference
See also
References
- ^ Brener, Jeremy (December 12, 2021). "With Week 14 Loss, Jaguars Eliminated From Playoff Contention". Sports Illustrated Jacksonville Jaguars News, Analysis and More. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "Jaguars secure No. 1 overall pick in 2022 NFL Draft". NFL.com.
- ^ a b "A Statement from Shad Khan". Jaguars.com. December 16, 2021. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Grant (December 16, 2021). "Urban Meyer fired as Jaguars head coach after 2-11 start to first season". NFL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ De la Fuente, Homero (February 13, 2021). "A day after his controversial hire, Jaguars say performance coach Chris Doyle has resigned". CNN. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ "Tim Tebow officially signs contract with Jacksonville Jaguars". NFL.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ "Why did Jaguars sign Tim Tebow? Trying to make sense of Urban Meyer's odd plan". www.sportingnews.com. May 20, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars cut Tim Tebow, ending his NFL return after one preseason game". NBC News. August 17, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ Hill, Kassidy (July 28, 2021). "Urban Meyer Explains Why He and the Jaguars Were Fined for OTA Violations". Sports Illustrated Jacksonville Jaguars News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ Coleman, Madeline (August 31, 2021). "Urban Meyer Says COVID-19 Vaccination Status Considered in Jags' Roster Cuts; NFLPA Investigates". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ DiRocco, Michael (October 5, 2021). "Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan: Urban Meyer 'must regain our trust and respect' after 'inexcusable' conduct". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ "Trevor Lawrence: Twice-benched RB James Robinson has 'got to be on the field'". NFL.com. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ "Jaguars RB James Robinson on if he was benched in loss to Rams: 'I would say so'". NFL.com. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ "Lawrence to Jags: Robinson needs to be on field". ESPN.com. December 8, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ "Report: Jaguars players, coaches fed up with Urban Meyer on and off field". sports.yahoo.com. December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Gastellum, Andrew (December 11, 2021). "Report: Urban Meyer Called Assistants Losers, Argued With Marvin Jones as Tensions Mount". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "Urban Meyer still in Jacksonville Jaguars' plans despite building tension, sources say". ESPN.com. December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "Jaguars WR Marvin Jones addresses reported spat with Urban Meyer: 'We handled it like grown men'". NFL.com. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ Pickman, Ben (December 14, 2021). "Jaguars Owner Comments on Urban Meyer's Job Status, Future". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ Salvador, Joseph. "Former Jags Player Makes Serious Accusation Against Urban Meyer". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ Crabtree, Curtis (December 16, 2021). "Trevor Lawrence: Constant drama around Jaguars needs to change". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ Rapp, Timothy. "Trevor Lawrence on Drama Surrounding Jaguars: 'You Can't Always Be in the Headlines'". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jaguars' season forgettable but 'clown game' finale against Colts likely to be memorable". news.yahoo.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ "Ramsey traded to Los Angeles Rams". jaguars.com. October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ "Jaguars agree to trade DE Yannick Ngakoue to Vikings". ESPN. August 30, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ "Browns acquire safety Ronnie Harrison from Jaguars in trade". NFL.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ "Unhappy LB Correa traded by Titans to Jaguars". ESPN.com. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Nettuno, Tyler (March 18, 2021). "Jaguars send Saints 2021 seventh-round pick for Malcom Brown". NFL.com. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ DaSilva, Cameron (May 1, 2021). "Rams trade back from No. 121, add 5th- and 7th-round picks". Ramswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Oehser, John (May 12, 2021). "Official: Jaguars 2021 schedule released". Jaguars.com. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ Oehser, John (May 12, 2021). "Official: Jaguars 2021 schedule released". Jaguars.com. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ "2021 NFL schedule: Cowboys-Buccaneers kicks off Week 1's slate of games". NFL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "NFL returning to London with two games in 2021: Jets-Falcons, Dolphins-Jaguars". NFL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ Camenker, Jacob (September 27, 2021). "Longest plays in NFL history: Jamal Agnew joins Cordarrelle Patterson, Antonio Cromartie with 109-yard TDs". The Sporting News. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
External links
