Jaguars owner puts pressure on coaching staff: 'Priorities have to change'
Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
The Jaguars were once again among the biggest spenders in free agency this offseason, signing players like wide receiver Gabe Davis, center Mitch Morse, defensive lineman Arik Armstead and safety Darnell Savage.
Jacksonville is hopeful that its new additions to both sides of the ball will prevent another late-season collapse like the one it had a season ago — finishing 1-5 and missing the playoffs.
However, owner Shad Khan doesn't want it to be the long-term approach to roster building.
"I think there's a sea change for us — and this is for our coaching, that they have to develop young players," Khan said, via the team's website. "Our solution isn't going to be we're going to be signing free agents every year. We don't have the ability. Bottom line is that young talent has to be developed. The coaching, the coaching staff, their priorities have to change. Their mindset has to change. That's where we're going to get our future players. We cannot have this addiction to free agents."
A big reason why the Jaguars will be far less active in free agency in the coming years is because they signed quarterback Trevor Lawrence (five years, $275M) and edge-rusher Josh Allen (five years, $150M) to massive long-term deals this offseason.
"I think they're great players," Khan added. "We drafted them. They love this city. These are players who are just woven in the fabric of Jacksonville. They really wanted to be here. We're counting on those players providing the leadership and representing the city and helping us move forward."
Lawrence and Allen support the idea that Jacksonville can draft and develop talent, but the team will need to continue doing so or future seasons will continue to end in disappointment.
This isn't to say the past two years have been total failures, finishing with a 9-8 record in each and marking the team's first consecutive winning seasons since 2004-2005.
However, the standard has changed. It's about consistently getting to the playoffs and winning when it matters.
"You talk about the growth in the football team," Khan stated. "If this had happened five years ago or 10 years ago, you would be patting yourself on the back. Now it's, 'Yes, you want to have a winning season, but you want to be in the playoffs. 'You want to be in the playoffs every year."
Drafting and developing more players like Lawrence and Allen will allow the Jaguars to do just that.
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