The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2023 season ended in heartbreak, a dramatic reversal from what had initially promised to be a successful campaign. After a promising 8-3 start, the Jaguars faltered dramatically, falling into a 1-5 skid that ultimately cost them a shot at the AFC South division title and a coveted playoff spot.
Injuries to key offensive players played a significant role in the team’s decline. Leading the list of sidelined stars were receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, alongside quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Overall, ten starters or crucial players missed a combined 48 games, unraveling the team’s cohesion and effectiveness on the field; the offensive line particularly struggled.
On the ground, the Jaguar’s running game faced significant challenges. The team recorded the second-most runs in the league that went for no gain or resulted in yardage loss, tallying 120 such runs. Alarmingly, 26.5% of their rushes achieved zero yards or went backward, stymieing the offensive flow and contributing to their downturn.
Defensively, the Jaguars weren't faring much better. The team recorded 126 missed tackles, the fourth most across the league. This inability to bring down opposing players compounded their issues, with the defense allowing an additional 44.4 yards per game on the ground over the final six weeks compared to the first 12 weeks. Despite these challenges, they managed a solitary victory during their late-season slump, a 26-0 shutout win against the Carolina Panthers – a game in which Trevor Lawrence was absent due to a shoulder injury.
The season concluded with a deflating 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans, cementing the Jaguars’ final record at 9-8. Despite the disappointing end, this season marked the second consecutive winning season for the Jaguars—an achievement the team hadn’t accomplished since the 2004-05 seasons.
Ownership felt the sting of these shortcomings deeply. As Jaguars owner Shad Khan put it, "You fail as an organization. I look at it as an organizational failure." Reflecting further on the season's denouement, Khan noted, "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."
While the end of the season brought about much frustration, there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The Jacksonville city council approved a monumental $1.4 billion renovation plan for EverBank Stadium by a 14-1 vote. This ambitious project, which now awaits approval from 24 of the NFL's 32 owners, envisages splitting the renovation costs evenly between the Jaguars and the city, each contributing $625 million. Additionally, the city committed $150 million for stadium maintenance and repairs over the next two seasons, meaning it will shoulder 55% of the total renovation costs.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan expressed optimism about the future, encapsulated poignantly in her words: “I hope you all believe now.” Khan added a historical perspective, reflecting on the evolution of the franchise. "A lot has changed from the inaugural season for the Weavers in 1995, to my first year in 2012, right through to today as we prepare to celebrate the Jaguars' 30th anniversary in the NFL. But there's been one constant throughout: Everyone wants to doubt Jacksonville. As of last night, that should no longer be the case. Not a good day for the Doubting Thomases."
As the Jaguars prepare for their 30th anniversary, the promise of state-of-the-art facilities brings fresh hope and an opportunity to build on their back-to-back winning seasons. Despite the disappointments of 2023, the optimism surrounding the franchise points toward a bright, resilient future for the team and its fans.