The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams last season, going 9-8 and missing the playoffs a year after winning the AFC South division title.
As a result, expectations for the Jaguars have been tempered for the 2024 campaign. But don’t tell that to Jacksonville owner Shad Khan.
Khan wants to start seeing results as soon as possible.
“About a month ago we celebrated the city’s partnership with the Jaguars and the approval of funding for the new stadium of the future,” Khan during the latest episode of the Jaguars’ series The Hunt, via NFL.com. “So, I met with the reporters and the discussion obviously quickly turned to football and I was quoted, ‘For us, winning now is the expectation.’ So really I [have] been looking forward to tonight to set the record straight. I was not misquoted. And let me just repeat, winning now is the expectation.”
It doesn’t help that Jacksonville plays in one off the stronger divisions in the league. The Houston Texans are heavily favored to win the AFC South, the young Indianapolis Colts just missed the playoffs a year ago and the Tennessee Titans have improved significantly this offseason.
But that doesn’t move Khan.
“Make no mistake, this is the best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars, ever,” Khan said. “Best players, best coaches. But most importantly, let’s prove it by winning now.”
Can the Jacksonville Jaguars bounce back in 2024?
The Jaguars actually got off to a great start last season, going 8-3 over their first 11 games and resembling legitimate contenders in the AFC.
But Jacksonville put forth a Philadelphia Eagles-style collapse in the back half of 2023, losing five of its last six games to miss out on the playoffs entirely.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence endured harsh criticism following the Jaguars’ collapse, as the former No. 1 overall pick did not exactly post impressive numbers last year.
The pressure is certainly on Lawrence and Co. heading into 2024, especially with Khan breathing down their necks. But perhaps the lack of national expectations will benefit the Jags.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will open their season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 8.
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