Eagles Officially Own Colts' 1st-Round Pick in 2022 NFL Draft for Carson Wentz Trade
Dec 19, 2021
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
The Philadelphia Eagles will officially receive the Indianapolis Colts' first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft as a result of the offseason trade of Carson Wentz.
Indianapolis sent a 2021 third-round pick in the deal for the quarterback as well as a conditional 2022 second-round pick, which would become a first-rounder if Wentz played at least 75 percent of the team's offensive snaps. As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk noted, Wentz will surpass that mark even if he misses the final three games of the season.
The 28-year-old has played 97.6 percent of the snaps for Indianapolis this season, missing just 22 of 928 offensive plays through 14 games this year.
Hitting these numbers were far from a guarantee considering Wentz's injury history. The former Eagles quarterback completed just one full 16-game season in the past four years.
He played 71.6 percent of offensive snaps for Philadelphia last season, when he was benched for Jalen Hurts, per Pro Football Reference.
Wentz needed foot surgery in training camp this year and suffered sprains in both ankles in Week 2, but the quarterback has never missed a game for Indianapolis. Though inconsistent on the field, the signal-caller has 23 touchdowns with six interceptions this season, and the Colts remain in playoff contention with an 8-6 record.
This works out for Philadelphia, which will look to add more talent around Hurts in the offseason.
The squad will have a busy first day of the NFL draft with three first-round picks, including their own selection and one pick acquired from the Miami Dolphins as the team traded up to select Jaylen Waddle.
Heading into Sunday's games, Tankathon projects the Eagles to pick 10th, 11th and 23rd in the first round.
Report: Bears, Texans 'Heavily Mulling' HC Search and Firing Matt Nagy, David Culley
Dec 19, 2021
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is seen before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans could both be looking for new head coaches this offseason.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported both teams are "heavily mulling launching a coach search in the coming weeks."
The idea of making a change at the top is reportedly "growing within those organizations"
Matt Nagy is in his fourth year with the Bears, but at 4-9, he has already clinched his first losing season as a head coach. The squad has lost seven of its last eight games to fall out of playoff contention.
David Culley is 2-11 in his first season with the Texans, and it seems the team might not give the 66-year-old much time to turn things around.
Houston had low expectations entering 2021 after going 4-12 last year, especially with star quarterback Deshaun Watson not playing amid a trade request and allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct.
The on-field product has still been poor with a team that ranks last in the NFL in both points scored and total yards offensively while ranking 30th in the league in points allowed.
It could lead to a short stint for Culley, who is getting his first opportunity as a head coach after serving as an NFL assistant coach since 1994.
The Bears are also in the midst of a rebuild, although there is seemingly little faith Nagy can be the one to get the team back to contention. The 43-year-old was named the league's Coach of the Year in 2018, but two straight 8-8 seasons dampened the excitement in Chicago.
With the offensive-minded coach leading a team that ranks just 31st in the NFL in total yards this season, few believe he is the one needed to get the most out of first-round quarterback Justin Fields.
According to La Canfora, most Bears assistant coaches are "operating as if they will be seeking employment elsewhere next season."
Chicago and Houston could join the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders among teams looking for new head coaches this offseason.
Jonathan Taylor Leads Colts to Saturday Night Football Win over Mac Jones, Patriots
Dec 19, 2021
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs with the ball as New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
The Indianapolis Colts significantly boosted their playoff chances with a 27-17 victory over the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night.
Entering today as the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff standings, the Colts could end the weekend in the fourth spot if the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
The Patriots lost a game for the first time since Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. They are also now looking up at the Kansas City Chiefs for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC playoff race.
Jonathan Taylor sealed the Colts' victory with a 67-yard touchdown run that put the Colts up by 10 late in the fourth quarter.
Prior to that score, the Patriots had rattled off 17 unanswered points to turn what looked like a blowout into a three-point game.
New England's run defense got beat up in this loss. That unit allowed 228 yards and 5.8 yards per carry. Carson Wentz only threw the ball 12 times, completing five of those attempts for just 57 yards.
Mac Jones overcame two interceptions on consecutive possessions to finish with a solid stat line overall. The rookie had 299 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdown passes.
Notable Game Stats
Carson Wentz, QB (IND): 5-of-12, 57 yards, TD, INT
Jonathan Taylor, RB (IND): 29 carries, 170 yards, TD
Nyheim Hines, RB (IND): 1 reception, 8 yards, TD
Mac Jones, QB (NE): 26-of-45, 299 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Hunter Henry, TE (NE): 6 receptions, 77 yards, 2 TD
Colts Show Playoff Credentials in Win
There's still no guarantee that the Colts will even make the playoffs, but Saturday's win was the biggest sign that they can cause a lot of problems against anyone in the AFC.
Against a Patriots defense that held four of their last five opponents under 100 yards rushing, Indianapolis had 122 yards on the ground in the first half.
New England's defense seemed to find a way to slow down Taylor for most of the second half. He only had 30 yards on 10 carries before ripping off the 67-yard touchdown to secure the win.
Head coach Frank Reich made a point of establishing Taylor and the running game right out of the gate. The Colts star running back had 18 carries at halftime, while Wentz only attempted six passes.
Reich, one of the architects of the "Philly Special" against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, went into his bag of tricks once again in a matchup with Bill Belichick to get the Colts their first touchdown.
The Colts kept their foot on the gas pedal after that initial touchdown. Special teams stepped up huge when Matthew Adams blew past the protection to block Jake Bailey's punt, allowing E.J. Speed to recover it in the end zone for another score.
COLTS BLOCK THE PUNT FOR SIX!@EJ_SPEEDās second block return TD of the season š„ #ForTheShoe
One reason that Reich was able to keep Wentz hidden for most of the game is because his defense did a fantastic job against New England's offense.
The Patriots were driving down the field, looking to get a score before halftime, but it was halted when Darius Leonard picked off Jones at the 6-yard line.
Leonard's interception allowed the Colts to take a 17-0 lead into halftime. This hadn't historically been a position they are used to being in against a Belichick-led team.
This is 23rd Colts-Patriots meeting since Bill Belichick became head coach, and this is only the 2nd time Indy has led by more than 10 points, according to @ESPNStatsInfo. In 2005 Week 9 the Colts largest lead was 21 points, they won by 19.
Indianapolis extended its lead to 20 points early in the third quarter when Jones threw his second interception of the game, this one to Bobby Okereke.
Reich did abandon the run on the drive after the turnover. Wentz dropped back to pass on all three snaps, completing one pass for no gain and getting sacked on third down for an eight-yard loss.
There were some plays when Wentz got let down by his teammates. He threw a perfect pass in the back of the end zone over a defender where only Mo Alie-Cox could get it, but the big tight end couldn't corral the ball.
However, Wentz also attempted to let the Patriots back in the game with some baffling decisions. He double-clutched on a pass attempt early in the fourth quarter that allowed Jamie Collins to tip the ball up and into the hands of Devin McCourty.
That Wentz decision was unfathomably bad. Not even one of those, "Just didn't see him" picks. He saw *multiple* guys and still let it rip. If Collins doesn't tip that, McCourty still had a shot at it.
It's certainly easy to find some things that might hold the Colts back, but this game was also emblematic of all the things they do so well that makes them a threat to anyone in the AFC.
Indianapolis' offensive line is getting healthier and playing up to its potential. Taylor has been running over defenders all season. The defense came into the game ranked ninth in points allowed per game (21.8).
Leonard and DeForest Buckner are game wreckers along the first two levels of the defense when they are locked in.
The AFC playoff picture really hasn't come into a lot of focus yet. The Kansas City Chiefs certainly look like they are all the way back, but the other division leadersāPatriots, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravensāall look incredibly flawed right now.
The Los Angeles Chargers have an incredibly high ceiling because of Justin Herbert, but they've yet to find consistency from week to week. Ditto, the Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen.
There is no reason to think that the Colts can't compete with any one of those teams after dominating the Patriots.
What's Next?
The Patriots will host the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 26 in a rematch of their Week 13 game that New England won 14-10. The Colts will take on the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Christmas Day.
This article will be updated to
provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
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Urban Meyer Addresses Josh Lambo Incident, Apologizes to Jaguars, More After Firing
Dec 18, 2021
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans , Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 20-0. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
After being fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars early Thursday morning, former head coach Urban Meyer broke his silence and was apologetic for the amount of negativity the franchise endured during his tenure.
"I just apologize to Jacksonville," Meyer told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com Friday in an exclusive interview. "I love Jacksonville. It's one of the reasons I took the job. I still think Shad's a great owner. It's heart-breaking."
Meyer didn't make it through his first season in Jacksonville, coaching the team to a 2-11 record and getting fired with four years remaining on his contract. Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement, "I am bitterly disappointed to arrive at the conclusion that an immediate change is imperative for everyone."
One of the incidents that sullied Meyer's tenure occurred after his decision not to fly back to Jacksonville with the team after its Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Meyer was seen on video in an Ohio bar with a woman who is not his wife dancing near his lap.
NFL.com's Tom Pelissero reported last Saturday that tensions between Meyer and the Jaguars players had "boiled over." Pelissero cited an argument between Meyer and veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. in which the captain angrily left the team facility. Pelissero also relayed that Meyer referred to his assistant coaches as "losers" during a staff meeting.
This week, former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo disclosed to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud details of an altercation in which Meyer allegedly kicked him while he was warming up during a preseason practice.
Meyer told Rapoport that the argument with Jones was "not accurately portrayed." He also denied calling his assistants "losers" and said the incident with Lambo didn't happen.
"It was like, 'Wait a minute, where is this coming from?'" Meyer said. "I've certainly made a few mistakes but those weren't right."
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will serve as interim head coach for the Jaguars. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence told reporters this week that the outside noise surrounding Meyer was affecting the team.
"I wouldn't say 'relief,' but it brings some clarity and some direction moving forward," Lawrence said. "We really want to go and finish this season strong. To be honest, it's been hard the last week with everything going on."
The Jaguars will face the Houston Texans, who are also 2-11, on Sunday at home.
Report: Urban Meyer Fired for Cause by Jaguars, Won't Be Paid Rest of Contract
Dec 18, 2021
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 05: Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer looks on during the NFL game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Rams on December 5, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly
fired former head coach Urban Meyer for cause in an attempt to void
the final four years of his contract.
ESPN's Jeff Darlington and Adam
Schefter reported Saturday the Jags' decision to withhold the rest of the guaranteed money in the five-year deal was "not tied to one
specific incident" and rather an accumulation of factors leading up
to Meyer's firing Thursday.
Meyer can challenge the Jaguars'
for-cause label in court, and it's possible the sides eventually
reach an agreement to avoid a "prolonged legal situation," according to
the ESPN report.
Financial details of the five-year
contract the 57-year-old Ohio native signed in January were never
publicly released, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported
before the deal was signed that the former college coach was seeking $12
million annually.
Meyer's tenure in Jacksonville was an
unmitigated failure.
In July, the NFL fined the Jaguars
$200,000 and their head coach $100,000 for a violation of the
league's rules preventing contact during offseason practices.
Then, with the Jags off to an 0-4
start, videos were posted on social media showing a woman who wasn't
Meyer's wife dancing on him in an Ohio bar. He'd stayed behind in his
home state to visit family after a Thursday Night Football loss to
the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.
After that incident, team owner Shad
Khan released a statement saying he'd talked to Meyer about his actions.
"What I will say is his conduct
last weekend was inexcusable," Khan said. "I appreciate Urban's
remorse, which I believe is sincere. Now, he must regain our trust
and respect. That will require a personal commitment from Urban to
everyone who supports, represents or plays for our team. I am
confident he will deliver."
Then on Wednesday, former Jaguars kicker
Josh Lambo alleged Meyer kicked him during an August practice.
"I'm in a lunge position. Left leg
forward, right leg back," Lambo told Rick Stroud of the Tampa
Bay Times. "Urban Meyer, while I'm in that stretch position,
comes up to me and says, 'Hey Dips--t, make your f--king kicks!' And
kicks me in the leg."
Meyer was fired hours later, though the
franchise has maintained that singular report wasn't the reason for
the decision.
All the while the Jags continued to
struggle on the field. They carry a 2-11 record, tied for the
second-worst mark in the NFL, in to Sunday's home game against the
Houston Texans (also 2-11).
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell
will serve as the interim head coach for the final four games of
Jacksonville's season.
Jaguars Owner Shad Khan Considered Firing Urban Meyer for 'Weeks,' Spokesman Says
Dec 18, 2021
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 12: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Nissan Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars spokesperson Jim
Woodcock said team owner Shad Khan had considered firing Urban Meyer
for "weeks" and finalized the decision after a conversation with
the embattled head coach following Sunday's shutout loss to the
Tennessee Titans.
Jim Woodcock told Mark Long of the
Associated Press on Friday night the decision to fire Meyer early
Thursday morning wasn't a direct result of former Jags kicker Josh
Lambo alleging the coach kicked him during an August practice:
The announcement was made at 12:35
a.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 16, to provide coaches and staff
alike a fresh start upon reporting to the stadium that morning.
Contrary to incorrect assumptions and widespread egregious reporting,
the dismissal was not triggered by a single newspaper report late
Wednesday afternoon related to a claim made by a former player.
To repeat from Shad's official
statement, the decision was reached 'after deliberation over many
weeks and a thorough analysis of the entirety of Urban's tenure with
our team.'
Woodcock explained the discussion
between Khad and Meyer after the Titans loss yielded "few answers
for the team's woes or how he planned to fix them" from the coach.
While that sealed Meyer's fate, the
Jaguars owner decided to wait until after some previously scheduled
events during the week to make the announcement.
"It was determined to wait until the
conclusion of previously scheduled appointments that week to make the
announcement," Woodcock told Long. "Those appointments included
an employee staff luncheon and meeting with Jacksonville media, both
to recognize the 10th anniversary of Shad's purchase of the
Jaguars, on Monday as well as NFL meetings in Dallas on December 14
and 15."
Thursday's firing marked the end of a
tumultuous 11-month NFL tenure for the former Florida and Ohio State
college coach.
In July, the league fined the Jags
$200,000 and Meyer $100,000 for a violation of rules preventing
contact during offseason practices.
Meyer then landed on the hot seat in
October when videos were posted on social media that showed a woman who wasn't his wife dancing on him in an Ohio bar. The coach had
stayed back in his home state to visit family after a Week 4 loss to
the Cincinnati Bengals.
Those two situations combined with
Lambo's allegations and the Jags' 2-11 record during his first season
in charge led to his quick exit from Jacksonville.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell
will serve as the interim coach for the final four weeks of the
regular season.
The Jaguars will then search for a new
head coach in the offseason, which will mark the fifth different
leader of the coaching staff since Khan purchased the team in January
2012. They've reached the playoffs just once over that span.
Report: Most Jaguars Players Were 'Just Fine' with Urban Meyer Before Firing
Dec 17, 2021
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer walks the sideline before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Nashville. The Titans won the game 20-0. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Urban Meyer's tumultuous tenure as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly didn't alienate everyone in the locker room.
"He hadn't, at least by the last weekend before his dismissal, lost the locker room, the source said," Grossman and DiRocco wrote.
There were strong indications that Meyer alienated at least some of the Jaguars players.
Kicker Josh Lambo, who played five seasons in Jacksonville prior to his release in October, told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times that Meyer called him a "dips--t" and told him to "make his f--king kicks" before kicking him in the hamstring.
Lambo also said that Meyer would refer to some players on special teams only by their position instead of using their names.
āIt was āKicker, Punter, Long snapper,ā ā Lambo said. āOr S--tbag, Dips--t or whatever the hell it was.ā
Meyer also didn't seem to be aware if or when certain players were appearing in games:
#Jaguars HC Urban Meyer was asked about Andre Cisco playing more (again). He said āCisco is playing a little bit more, I believe, I donāt have his numbers in front of meā
Before Stroud's story with Lambo came out, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence seemed to acknowledge the drama around the team this season.
"You're always going to have some form of drama. I've learned that the NFL is just more drama in general than college, no matter where you're at," Lawrence told reporters. "But you're right. There's been a lot. To your point, I do think that has to change and that's something that we need to work on for sure."
The Jaguars moved on from Meyer on Thursday when owner Shad Khan fired the 57-year-old 13 games into his first season with the team.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. He previously served as interim head coach for the Detroit Lions last season after Matt Patricia was fired.
Meyer led the Jaguars to a 2-11 record prior to his dismissal.
Jaguars Rumors: Josh McDaniels, Brian Daboll, Doug Pederson Among HC Candidates
Dec 17, 2021
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan reportedly has discussed Byron Leftwich, Brian Daboll, Todd Bowles, Doug Pederson and Josh McDaniels as potential head coaching candidates for 2022, per Jordan Schultz.
Previous head coach Urban Meyer was fired this week after a 2-11 start to his first season in the NFL. Darrell Bevell is set to serve as the interim coach for the remainder of 2021.
Jacksonville has already clinched double-digit losses for the fourth straight season while the franchise has just one year with a winning record since 2007.
The list of projected candidates features a varied field from both sides of the ball, some with head coaching experience and others without.
Pederson, 53, was the most successful head coach on the list, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl title after the 2017 season. He produced a 42-37-1 record across five years before he was fired after going 4-11-1 in 2020.
McDaniels struggled as a head coach for the Denver Broncos (11-17 over two seasons), but he has excelled as an offensive coordinator during his career with the New England Patriots. In his first 12 seasons running the Patriots offense, the 45-year-old has led a top-10 scoring attack 11 times.
Bowles went 24-40 during four seasons as the New York Jets head coach, although he has also thrived as a coordinator. The 58-year-old helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the Super Bowl last season and has navigated injuries to keep the unit tough again in 2021.
Leftwich also won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay as the team's offensive coordinator and the unit is even better in 2021, currently ranking first in the NFL in both points scored and total yards. Even without head coaching experience, the 41-year-old is clearly a coach on the rise.
Daboll, 46, is also seeking his first head coaching position after eight years as an NFL coordinator. The Buffalo Bills had the No. 2 offense in football last season under Daboll's leadership and remain an elite squad with the sixth-most points in the NFL.
Turning things around in Jacksonville would be a challenge for any of these men, but there are exciting pieces to help create a contender. Even with Trevor Lawrence struggling as a rookie, the 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick is loaded with talent and could thrive in the right system.
The right coach could get the most out of the roster and help the Jaguars return to the postseason.
Kyle Lauletta, Browns Agree to Contract amid COVID-19 Issues
Dec 17, 2021
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 22: Cleveland Browns quarterback Kyle Lauletta (17) looks to pass during the second quarter of the National Football League preseason game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on August 22, 2021, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns have reportedly
signed Kyle Lauletta off the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad to
serve as their backup quarterback for Saturday's game against the Las
Vegas Raiders because of expected COVID-19 absences, including
starter Baker Mayfield.
Lauletta's agent, Mike McCarthy, confirmed the signing.
Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported
Friday the Browns are signing both Lauletta and free-agent
quarterback Jake Dolegala, who will serve as the No. 3 emergency QB.
Nick Mullens, who's in line to start
against the Raiders, was the only active signal-caller on the roster
with both Mayfield and Case Keenum on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Lauletta spent the second half of the
2020 season on the Browns' practice squad. He signed a reserve/futures
contract with the organization in January but was released following
this year's preseason. He joined the Jags' practice squad a few days
later.
The 26-year-old University of Richmond
product has only appeared in two regular-season games since the New
York Giants selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He failed to
complete any of his five throws in those relief appearances for the
G-Men that year.
Lauletta enjoyed a solid college
career with the Spiders. He compiled 85 total touchdowns (73 passing
and 12 rushing) and 35 interceptions across 40 appearances.
His knowledge of the Browns offense should allow him to handle the unit if forced to
play in a pinch against the Raiders.
Dolegala has bounced around the NFL
since going undrafted out of Central Connecticut in 2019. Cleveland
will be his fifth team after time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New
England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins.
The 6'7" New York native has never
attempted a regular-season pass.
Cleveland's COVID-19 issues are occurring as the
team attempts to make a late surge into the playoffs.
The Browns sit eighth in the AFC
standings with a 7-6 record. The top seven teams in each conference
qualify for the postseason. The Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills,
who are also 7-6, currently hold the last two spots based on
tiebreakers.
How long the COVID outbreak continues
to impact the team will be a major factor in their playoff hopes as
it faces a difficult schedule down the stretch. After facing the
Raiders (6-7), it takes on the Green Bay Packers (10-3), Pittsburgh
Steelers (6-6-1) and Cincinnati Bengals (7-6).
Trevor Lawrence Says Urban Meyer's Firing 'Brings a Little Bit of Clarity' to Jaguars
Dec 17, 2021
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars speaks with head coach Urban Meyer during a 37-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence is ready to move forward without Urban Meyer, who was fired as head coach of the franchise early Thursday morning, following the drama surrounding the longtime college football coach throughout the 2021 campaign.
"I wouldn't believe you if you told me this is how this year was going to go," Lawrence told reporters. " ... I think [the coaching change] brings a little bit of clarity to the guys in the locker room. I wouldn't say relief, but I would say just bring some clarity and some direction moving forward."
Lawrence added:
You know, we really want to go and finish the season strong and to be honest, it's been hard to last the last week with everything going on. And there's a lot of things being stirred up I think by the outside, too. That didn't help [and] made things a lot worse, but also everything that's going on.
It's hard to be focused and have all your attention and efforts going towards winning the game when there's so many things going on.
Meyer's tenure in Jacksonville was anything but smooth. First, he hired former Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle as the director of sports performance in February. Doyle was accused of racism and bullying from Iowa players, and he resigned from the Jacksonville position two days after being hired in the wake of backlash about his past.
Then in May, Meyer brought in failed former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow as a tight end. In July, Meyer and the Jaguars were fined a combined $300,000 for excessive contact during offseason practices. After that, videos of a woman that was not his wife dancing on him at a Columbus, Ohio, bar surfaced in October.
In addition, reports surfaced alleging that Meyer called his assistant coaches losers, and former kicker Josh Lambo accused Meyer of kicking him during warm-ups.
Then just one day before Meyer was fired, Lawrence admitted that he was fed up with the drama surrounding the franchise.
āYouāre always going to have some form of drama. Iāve learned that the NFL is just more drama in general than college, no matter where youāre at,ā Lawrence told reporters. āBut youāre right. Thereās been a lot. To your point, I do think that has to change and thatās something that we need to work on for sure.
āSo you canāt always be in the headlines. You just got to go play football and thatās where weāre trying to get and I have no doubt weāll get there, but for sure [it has to change].ā
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is now serving as interim head coach of the Jaguars, and Lawrence appears to be looking forward to having him as the team's boss.
"He's very even keel," Lawrence said of Bevell. "Always the same person. Never gets too high or too low. That's something that I respect and that I can level with."
The Jaguars went 2-11 with Meyer as head coach. They'll look to turn things around when they meet the Houston Texans on Sunday.
