As training camp progressed, Jaguar became accustomed to a new head coach for the second season in a row. In 2021, Jacksonville was led by Urban Meyer, who was sacked in December after a tumultuous season and poor on-court performance.
Fourth-year backline Josh Allen was asked if there was a difference between new coach Doug Pederson, who was recruited in February, and Meyer in a meeting with the media Tuesday. Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network, Allen laughed and replied, “yes.”
“This is a professional locker room,” Allen said. “This is a professional arrangement. He talks to us like a grown man.”
Meyer has been called in for encouraging a “toxic” work environment while in charge of the Jacksonville club. A Jaguar employee told The Athletic in March that under Meyer, the team was the “most toxic environment” he had ever been in and it was “not even close”. Meyer has also allegedly belittled staff and players, threatening to fire them on a regular basis and berating a player so badly in front of a staff member that the player burst into tears.
Kicker Josh Lambo sued the organization, demanding his $3.5 million salary plus damages for emotional distress caused by Jacksonville and Meyer. Lambo alleges that his performances were disrupted by Meyer’s verbal abuse, as well as an incident in which the former coach allegedly kicked him during training after the kicker failed to score during two pre-season games. Meyer denied Lambo’s “characterization” of the incident and called it “completely inaccurate.” Earlier this month, Jaguar signaled against the lawsuit, according to Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic.
Pederson joined the franchise en route to saving a team that won 2–11 under Meyer and finished the season with a 3–14 record. The 54-year-old previously worked as head coach of the Eagles for five seasons and won Super Bowl LII with the club. He was fired by Philadelphia in January ’21 after a difficult ’20 season.
Allen will look to remain a key part of the Jacksonville defence, as the lead finished the ’21 season with 46 solo tackles for a total of 71. Taken No. 7th in the ’19 draft by Jags, the 25-year-old finished his rookie campaign with a Pro Bowl appearance.
For more Jacksonville Jaguar coverage, go to Jaguar Reports
