By: Robert Craft

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Despite the disappointing way their 2023 season ended, the Jacksonville Jaguars 100% believe they will be back in the mix for an AFC South championship this season.

After losing five of six games to finish 9-8 and cede the division crown to the Houston Texans (10-7), the Jags knew big changes were needed.

Head coach Doug Pederson hired a new defensive staff, while general manager Trent Baalke targeted veteran leaders from winning franchises in free agency to improve the locker room’s ability to withstand adversity.

Afterward, the Jaguars handed out big-money extensions to a trio of their best players: quarterback Trevor Lawrence, pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen, and (most recently) cornerback Tyson Campbell.

Lawrence played well during the Jags’ 8-3 start to 2023 before he was slowed by a barrage of injuries; including a high ankle sprain, a concussion, and an AC sprain in his right shoulder.

That’s why getting Lawrence healthy and keeping him healthy is No. 1 on the Jags’ list of things to do to improve this season. Everyone knows a healthy Lawrence will go a long way in keeping them in the heat of the playoff race.

“He was in a really good place (before the injuries),” Pederson said. “The injuries did take a toll on him toward the back half of the season. He wasn’t the same quarterback. (In the first half), he was making good decisions. He was taking care of the football. We were helping him as an offense, too. Everybody was involved. One guy can’t do it all, and we don’t ask him to do it all.”

On the other side of the ball, the Jaguars are expected to take a big step forward on defense. After the season, Pederson fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and replaced him with former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen; a fiery personality who led an aggressive pass rush with the Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

The Jaguars then hung with the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Lawrence finished seventh in the MVP voting and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

They also have to be less charitable with the pigskin. The Jaguars’ whopping 30 turnovers last season were the fifth-most in the NFL. They lost the turnover battle nine times during their last four losses, which stings considering they finished a game shy of Houston.

The hope of next year is to heighten the intensity around Hines-Allen, edge rusher Travon Walker and key free-agent pickup, defensive tackle Arik Armstead.

As the team-building process began, they zeroed in on players with proven reputations as leaders who have histories as winners. It led them to guys like Armstead (previously with the San Francisco 49ers, cornerback Darnell Savage (Green Bay Packers), center Mitch Morse and Gabe Davis (Buffalo Bills).

Remember, the Jaguars were 15-5, including the playoffs, from Week 12 in 2022 to Week 12 in 2023. They believe they’re closer to that team than the one that both literally and figuratively limped down the stretch.

If their offseason plan pans out, they might be able to prove that.