The 2023 season ended in heartbreak for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a campaign that promised much but ultimately fell short. After a promising 8-3 start, the Jaguars experienced a sharp decline, finishing the season at 9-8. Severe injuries to key offensive players and a devastating 1-5 skid ultimately cost the team a shot at the AFC South division title and a playoff spot.
The precipitous decline of the Jaguars can largely be attributed to injuries. Receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, along with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, were sidelined, significantly weakening the team's offensive capabilities. Overall, ten starters or key players missed a combined total of 48 games, a figure that underscores the challenges the Jaguars faced throughout the latter part of the season.
Compounding the Jaguars' problems was an underperforming offensive line. The team recorded a league-high 120 runs that either went for no gain or negative yardage, with 26.5% of their rushes failing to advance the ball. Defensively, the team was plagued by inefficiencies as well, tallying 126 missed tackles—the fourth most in the NFL. In the final six weeks of the season alone, the defense allowed 44.4 additional yards per game on the ground compared to the first 12 weeks.
Despite these challenges, the Jaguars managed a single bright spot in their sole late-season victory, a 26-0 shutout against the Carolina Panthers. Notably, Trevor Lawrence missed this game due to a shoulder injury, adding yet another hurdle for the beleaguered squad. Their final game, a 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans, sealed their fate, ending the season with a record of 9-8.
In reflecting on the season, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan did not mince words. "You fail as an organization. I look at it as an organizational failure," Khan remarked. The sting of the season's close was evident as he continued, "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."
However, there were still rays of hope for the franchise. The 2023 season marked the second consecutive winning season for the Jaguars, a feat not accomplished since 2004-05. As the team prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in the NFL, Khan struck a defiant tone, declaring, "Everyone wants to doubt Jacksonville. As of last night, that should no longer be the case. Not a good day for the Doubting Thomases."
Off the field, the future of the franchise's home, EverBank Stadium, looks promising. The Jacksonville city council approved a $1.4 billion renovation plan for the stadium by a decisive 14-1 vote. This agreement now awaits the backing of 24 of the NFL's 32 owners. The renovation costs will be evenly split between the Jaguars and the city, each contributing $625 million. Additionally, the city has committed an extra $150 million over the next two seasons for stadium maintenance and repairs, ultimately taking on 55% of the total renovation costs. Reflecting on this milestone, Mayor Donna Deegan succinctly captured the prevailing sentiment, "I hope you all believe now."
As the Jaguars look towards the 2024 season, the organization, its fans, and the entire city of Jacksonville seem poised to turn the page on a challenging chapter fraught with missed opportunities and build on the foundations of resilience and hope.