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Women's Ashes: Wyatt-Hodge lauds 'ruthless' Australia's batting depth
So Wyatt-Hodge isn't buying into any suggestion that Australia's shock World Cup exit leaves them as a diminished side.
"No, not at all, they're a quality squad," Wyatt-Hodge said in Australia on Monday. "Anyone in their squad that comes in performs. Look at Georgia Voll, she's had an outstanding start to her ODI career. Anyone in their line-up is capable of match-winning performances. So it's going to be a massive challenge for us, but one that we really can't wait for, and especially playing them in their conditions as well adds another challenge."
"We're going to take confidence from what happened," Wyatt-Hodge said. "But we're starting a new Ashes, obviously it's in their conditions as well. We all know how good the Aussies are, they're a real quality team, full of world-class players, but we're really looking forward to the big challenge ahead.
"They bat so deep, don't they, the Aussies? Anyone that comes in is capable of getting some valuable runs for their team. They're just so ruthless, they just fight and fight till the end, and they are a very hard team to beat."
England went some way to overcoming their own World Cup disappointment when, having been knocked out in the group stages with an uncomposed performance against West Indies in October, they finished 2024 with a successful tour of South Africa. There, they comprehensively won the Test, swept the T20Is 3-0 and dropped just one of their three ODIs. Wyatt was the leading run-scorer in the T20Is and second on England's batting charts for the tour overall.
On tight schedule: 'We can't moan about it'
The 2025 Ashes kicks off with three ODIs from January 12, followed by three T20Is, and then a four-day pink-ball Test at the MCG, which is due to finish on February 2.
"We can't moan about it, just got to embrace it and make sure that we are prioritising our rest and once we're on it, we're on it," Wyatt-Hodge said of the tight schedule. "We always speak about wanting to be calm and relaxed, but everyone's different. Someone might need to be the opposite, so it's going to be a matter of what works for you at the end of the day.
"But there's a lot of hype around the Ashes and the first game. There'll be a few nerves around, but I think it's just going to be a matter of who stays calmest for sure and then get your head down. I definitely play a lot better when I'm feeling chilled and calm and relaxed. Obviously I get nervous and there's a few nerves around, but yeah, definitely whoever stays the calmest will benefit more."
Valkerie Baynes is a general editor, women's cricket, at ESPNcricinfo
But after six dismissals to the India fast bowler across eight innings where he faced him, Khawaja admitted he "was just getting Bumrah'ed".
"To be honest, I was just getting Bumrah-ed," Khawaja told ABC Sport after Australia regained the BGT in Sydney. "It was friggin' tough work. It was tough work. People were asking me 'what's going on?' I'm being honest, I'm just getting Bumrah-ed."
Bumrah finished the series as the highest wicket-taker, with 32 scalps at an average of 13.06 and was duly named Player of the Series.
He could bowl only nine innings though, and he couldn't take the field during Australia's chase at the SCG after experiencing back spasms during their first innings.
In Bumrah's absence, Australia sealed the win with six wickets to spare, and Khawaja admitted that Australia felt more confident on a spicy pitch when they saw that Bumrah wasn't on the field.
"You never want to see anyone injured and it's a shame he was, but thank God for us. Because today would have been an absolute nightmare facing him on that wicket," Khawaja said.
"And you can see what a big part of their team he was. And everyone felt it. As soon as we didn't see Bumrah out there, we had this sense of feeling that we've actually got a chance here."
Khawaja said Bumrah is "the toughest bowler I've ever faced" and hailed the fast bowler's improvement from his first tour of Australia in 2018-19.
"He was always good, he was a very good bowler [in 2018]. But he's been something different this year," Khawaja said. "It looked like he's just got his tail up.
"The wickets have definitely helped him, but he's six years more mature, he's a better bowler, he understands his skills. He understands who he's bowling to and he has different plans for everyone.
"I always feel like no matter how good a bowler is, they'll always give me something to score off. I just never felt like I could score off him. It just felt so hard. I've never found someone so hard to score off and get off strike as Bumrah and you always feel like he's got a wicket ball up his sleeve."
South Africa seal ten-wicket win despite Pakistan's great resistance
South Africa 615 (Rickelton, Bavuma 106, Verreynne 100, Abbas 3-94) and 61 for no loss (Bedingham 47*) beat Pakistan 194 (Babar 58, Rabada 3-55) and 478 (Masood 145, Babar 81, Rabada 3-115) by ten wickets
South Africa marked their qualification for the WTC final in style, romping to a ten-wicket win over Pakistan. It is their seventh successive Test win, and came after two and a half days of toil with the ball before they finally prised Pakistan out for 478 in the third innings. A valiant century from Pakistan captain Shan Masood and numerous other contributions forced South Africa to bat again as the visitors overcame the second-highest first-innings deficit in Test history. However, the target - 58 - was little more than a formality, and South Africa took 7.1 overs to knock it off.
But Pakistan made them wait for the win. When South Africa enforced the follow-on leading by 421 on Sunday afternoon, they did not anticipate having to bowl another 122.1 overs. Masood, unbeaten overnight on 102, carried on and tried to rebuild after a mammoth 205-run opening stand with Babar Azam. South Africa were frustrated for large parts of the day, most notably during an 88-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha in the afternoon. But Keshav Maharaj, who had been denied for most of the day, found the breakthrough, and regular wickets after that ensured a finish was on in the late-evening sunshine.
Earlier in the day, Marco Jansen got nightwatcher Khurram Shahzad out early on before Rabada cleaned up Kamran Ghulam. Maharaj more or less bowled through the entire session, interrupted only when he switched ends at one point. His variations in pace and flight, as well as a ball that continued to turn, posed the most significant threat to the batters, but the wickets came to pace.
Shahzad had done his job and never quite looked equipped to carry on too long. When a length ball from Jansen grew too big on him, he chipped it straight to Maharaj at point. Ghulam never quite appeared to settle, keeping the slip cordon interested throughout his innings. He should have been on his way without scoring when, in the same over as Shahzad fell, he slashed at a wide one but it burst through David Bedingham's hands at first slip.
That wicket was always coming though. Rabada's increasing frustration at his wicketlessness and general indiscipline - he bowled another four no-balls this morning - was mounting. Just after overstepping, he found a beauty that nipped back off the seam into Ghulam, pegging back his middle stump. It was an excellent way to bring up his 50th Test wicket at Newlands, with the roar that followed it making clear how much it meant to him.
Saud Shakeel and Masood continued to make South Africa work for each scalp, and yet South Africa could have had one more before lunch. Kwena Maphaka squared Shakeel up with a lovely delivery that straightened as it hit the pad, only for South Africa to opt against a review. As Shakeel received extensive treatment for the blow, Hawk-Eye showed it was hitting leg stump.
Masood's vigil at the crease ended in somewhat contentious circumstances. Maphaka got one to shape away off the seam that kept low before cannoning into the batter's front pad. Umpire Nitin Menon felt it was missing off stump, but when South Africa reviewed, Hawk-Eye showed it hitting. It prompted a furious response from Masood, whose protests continued all the way along his slow walk off the crease and into the dressing room.
It capped a bright first hour post lunch for South Africa. Shakeel had been dispensed with shortly after play resumed in much the same way he fell in the first innings: nicking off into the slips while drove at Rabada. With Masood departing, there was a danger Pakistan might crumple in a heap, as they have tended to recently.
But Agha and Rizwan rebuilt once more. They wore off the sheen of the second new ball and kept the strike turning over. There were just three fours in the first 55 runs of the partnership as Pakistan looked to milk the tiring bowlers, but when Mulder erred, Agha was quick to put him away for two fours in three balls.
The two carried on as Pakistan wiped out the deficit, but soon Rizwan chipped Maharaj to short cover, precisely where Bavuma had placed a fielder for the shot, and South African nerves began to loosen once again.
Agha, having been reprieved by DRS, fell quickly after - two runs shy of his half-century - when a Maharaj delivery ripped and bounced, drawing a sharp catch for Aiden Markram in the slips. Mir Hamza came out and had a bit of fun, including a heave back over the bowler's head for the only six of the innings. But it wasn't built to last. Aamer Jamal reverse-swept Maharaj to slip before Rabada wrapped the innings up, and Bedingham and Markram sprinted off the field.
Six years ago, at this very ground, Pakistan's third innings ended on the third evening, with South Africa needing 41 to wrap the series up. Stumps were called, with the game concluding on the fourth morning.
This time around, the South Africa openers did not let the match go into the next day. Bedingham provided a shot in the arm with an eye-catching little knock - an unbeaten 47 off 30 - that ensured it took South Africa just 43 balls to seal a win that, despite a very long wait in the field, was ultimately routine.
Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000
Shan Masood 'baffled' by Hawkeye trajectory following lbw dismissal
Masood felt the pictures Hawkeye threw up did not align with the reality of what had happened off that delivery. "It's simple," Masood said after the end of the game. "It was an outswinger. If you see the ball that I was beaten by, it jagged away a long way. I was beaten on the outside edge, and it was shown as an inswinger. I was baffled by that to be very honest."
Masood, who had batted more or less chancelessly for over six hours over two days for his innings, had looked largely untroubled on the fourth morning until that delivery. Maphaka, bowling from left-arm over to the left-handed Masood, landed it on a length and got the ball to keep a touch low while straightening past the outside edge as Masood attempted to defend it, squaring him up and striking him on the back pad.
Upon review, Hawkeye deemed the ball to have struck Masood in line with off stump, and did not show any significant deviation away from the stumps that would have saved him. "With the naked eye, you could see it felt like it was outside the line as well. I just felt it was a different picture. I didn't get hit where Hawkeye was showing it to be hit. I was hit more on the outside of the leg than the inside; it shows it on the inside. That's not an inswinger. I was beaten by an outswinger and that's what the umpire thought as well, and that's all I can say to that."
Masood made no attempt to conceal his displeasure when the pictures went up on screen. He stood rooted to the spot for an extended period, gesticulating in disagreement. When he did turn around to trudge off, he still wore an expression of anger and frustration. As he walked up to the pavilion, he once again gestured in an outward arc with his hands to mimic the movement of the ball.
"It's up to the administrators to see if that's a fair decision or not, but I certainly felt that technology didn't show the trajectory of how that ball was," Masood said.
Pakistan had ended on the right side of an lbw decision before lunch, also off the bowling of Maphaka. Saud Shakeel was rapped on the pad as the ball angled towards leg stump, and on that occasion, too, Menon had ruled it to be not out. South Africa did not review, with Hawkeye indicating it would have gone on to hit leg stump.
Browns QB Watson has setback in Achilles rehab
BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a setback in his rehab from his torn Achilles tendon that will extend his recovery process, general manager Andrew Berry announced Monday.
Berry said the setback was discovered during an end-of-season physical and that Watson, who has been splitting time between Cleveland and Miami for his rehab, reported some discomfort. Berry added that it was too early to give a timeline for the quarterback's recovery and that the team would know in the coming days and weeks if another surgery is needed.
Berry said the 29-year-old Watson's setback would not significantly impact the team's outlook at the quarterback position this offseason. The Browns are expected to look to free agency to upgrade a quarterback room that threw the most interceptions (23) in the NFL this season. And with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, Cleveland is in position to take one of the top quarterback prospects in this year's class.
"That room, it will look different next year," Berry said.
The only other quarterback under contract for the 2025 season is 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who struggled in two starts this season. Jameis Winston, who started seven games before being benched, is an unrestricted free agent. Bailey Zappe, who became the 40th quarterback to start for the Browns since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999, is a restricted free agent.
"It probably goes without saying that to reach that level of consistency, we have to have consistent availability and consistent performance at the QB position, as well," Berry said. "And that's something that's been elusive for us for the past couple seasons. And that's something that we have to be able to fix and remedy."
Watson tore his right Achilles tendon Oct. 20, marking the second straight year his season ended because of injury. He missed the final eight games of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. He has started only 19 games since the Browns traded three first-round picks and gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million before the 2022 season. The Browns were 1-6 in games Watson started in 2024, and he posted the lowest QBR in the NFL before sustaining his injury in Week 7.
The Browns still owe Watson $46 million in each of the next two seasons, and he has cap hits of $72.9 million in 2025 and 2026, currently the second highest in the NFL. In late December, Cleveland and Watson agreed to restructure his contract, adding two void years, which allow the Browns to push out his dead salary cap into 2030, league sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The Browns on Sunday fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson after one season, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said he doesn't anticipate any other major staff changes.
Despite a 3-14 finish, the franchise's worst record since going 0-16 in 2017, Berry said he does not envision a rebuild this offseason. Berry said he expects defensive end Myles Garrett, who has voiced a distaste for going through a rebuild, will remain and retire as a Brown.
"I don't envision an offseason where we're moving on from a ton of core players," Berry said.
Ryan: If Jets HC, I'll end Rodgers 'country club'
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, scheduled to interview Tuesday for the team's head coaching vacancy, is convinced he will land the job.
If it happens, he says he will put an end to the Aaron Rodgers "country club."
Ryan, appearing Monday morning on ESPN New York radio, ripped the future Hall of Famer for skipping the team's mandatory minicamp last June to take a vacation to Egypt. He also criticized the organization's "abysmal" leadership for condoning it.
"Clearly, when you have a guy that doesn't show up for mandatory minicamp -- and, by the way, he's your quarterback, coming off an injury -- I think that's an absolutely ridiculous message you send to the team," Ryan said during a spot on the "DiPietro & Rothenberg Show."
"If he comes back, things would be different. If he's back, it ain't gonna be the country club, show up whenever the hell you want to show up. That ain't gonna happen. I'll just leave it at that," Ryan said.
Rodgers, who blamed his absence on a scheduling mix-up, was fined approximately $100,000 by the Jets for missing the minicamp. Then-coach Robert Saleh called it an unexcused absence, though he wasn't particularly critical of the four-time MVP. Rodgers, 41, is undecided on his future, saying he will take time to consider it.
Ryan, who has been lobbying for the Jets' job, will meet with team brass in Palm Beach, Florida, where owner Woody Johnson has a home. The meeting will occur nearly 16 years to the day of his first interview with the team, when he went from Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator to Jets head coach in January 2009.
He went 46-50 in six seasons, leading the Jets to the playoffs and back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010 -- the franchise's last postseason appearances. He was fired by Johnson after going 4-12 in 2014, but he has maintained a relationship with the owner.
"The reason I think I'm going to get it is because I'm the best guy for it. It ain't close. The thing you have to do is, you have to connect with your football team, you have to connect with your fan base. The way they play, that's the most important thing. It's not just the Xs and Os and all that. This Ben Johnson, I love him, I absolutely love him, but I'm a better candidate for this job than he would be." Rex Ryan
The team already has interviewed former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel and former Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera. The Jets also have submitted interview requests for at least four offensive coordinators -- Arthur Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers), Bobby Slowik (Houston Texans), Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills) and Matt Nagy (Kansas City Chiefs), according to reports. The Jets are also expected to submit requests for at least three defensive coordinators -- Aaron Glenn (Detroit Lions), Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos) and Brian Flores (Minnesota Vikings) -- and two quarterback coaches -- Josh McCown (Vikings) and Brian Griese (San Francisco 49ers -- sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The ever-confident Ryan, now an ESPN analyst, expects to land the position.
"Oh, 100 percent, absolutely, I do," he said. "The reason I think I'm going to get it is because I'm the best guy for it. It ain't close. The thing you have to do is, you have to connect with your football team, you have to connect with your fan base. The way they play, that's the most important thing.
"It's not just the X's and O's and all that. This Ben Johnson, I love him, I absolutely love him, but I'm a better candidate for this job than he would be."
The Lions' offensive coordinator is one of the hottest candidates on the market, but he's not expected to interview with the Jets, sources said.
Ryan said the current Jets are "not short on talent." He blamed their 5-12 season on a "lack of organizational leadership," pointing to the coaching staff. Saleh was fired in October, followed by general manager Joe Douglas in November.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars fired coach Doug Pederson but retained GM Trent Baalke on Monday, the team announced.
Pederson's firing comes after the team finished 4-13 this season; it has lost 18 of its past 23 games.
"I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars," owner Shad Khan said in a statement. "Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives. As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now.
"I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago. I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville."
Khan will now be searching for his sixth head coach since he purchased the team in November 2011 and assumed control in 2012. Baalke is entering the final year of his contract.
"When you don't win, there's changes that come from in all areas, coaching, management, and the players," tight end Evan Engram said. "So there's going to be a lot of changes moving forward based on us not getting the job done. And it's unfortunate. It's been a great three years playing for Doug. I've learned a lot. I've grown a lot, and this place is definitely going to grow from the experiences we've had under him and moving forward. "It's definitely going to be different, but I appreciate Doug for everything he's done and wish him the best moving forward."
Khan had big expectations for 2024, telling the team the night before training camp began last July that this was the "best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars ever" and that he expected the team to make the playoffs. Those comments became public via an in-house documentary released in early September. But instead, his team set an NFL record with 10 one-score losses, the most in a single season in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).
Pederson went 22-29 in three seasons with the Jaguars, including 9-8 records in his first two seasons. Jacksonville won the AFC South in 2022 -- winning its last five games -- and rallied from a 27-0 deficit to beat the Chargers in a wild-card playoff game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs. After starting the 2023 season 8-3, the Jaguars fell apart and missed the playoffs, going 1-5 to end the season.
Last season's struggles spilled over into 2024. A 37-point loss on "Monday Night Football" at the Buffalo Bills and a 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in London highlighted major issues early on. A 52-6 loss at Detroit on Nov. 17 was the largest margin of defeat in franchise history (eclipsing a 44-point loss to Detroit in the 1995 inaugural season) and the defense gave up 645 yards, the second-most allowed in a game in franchise history.
The Jaguars have one of the NFL's worst defenses, ranking 31st in the NFL in yards allowed per game (389.9) and last in passing yards allowed per game (257.4) under coordinator Ryan Nielsen, whom Pederson hired to replace Mike Caldwell this past offseason.
Khan hired Pederson in part to help Trevor Lawrence develop into one of the league's top quarterbacks, but Lawrence still struggles with consistency after three seasons in Pederson's offense. Lawrence threw for 2,045 yards and 11 touchdowns before a shoulder injury and concussion Dec. 1 ended his season. His completion percentage (60.6%) is the second-lowest of his career, and he continues to struggle with turnovers.
Pederson also has faced heavy criticism about offensive coordinator Press Taylor, who took over full-time playcalling duties in 2023. After saying he was going to reevaluate the playcalling process last February, Pederson refused to publicly say who was going to call plays in 2024, though it was later confirmed to be Taylor. Even Khan weighed in on the issue, saying in June that he had a preference on who would call plays but would leave the decision up to Pederson.
The Jacksonville offense under Taylor finished this season as one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 25th in yards per game (305.8), 21st in passing yards per game (204.5), and 21st in third downs (37.3%). Season-ending injuries to Lawrence, receivers Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis, and Engram played a significant role in the offense's struggles, but the Jaguars ranked in the middle third of the NFL in scoring, total offense, rushing and passing through the first nine weeks before Lawrence suffered a shoulder injury.
Backup quarterback Mac Jones started seven games in place of Lawrence, and in those starts the Jaguars averaged just 15.0 points per game and he threw for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns with eight interceptions. The lone bright spot on offense has been receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who led all rookies in receiving yards (1,282) and TDs (10). He also had 87 catches, and those marks set single-season franchise rookie records. Thomas was recently named a first alternate for the Pro Bowl.
"It's unfortunate because at the end of the day we all had a hand in this season and just how the way things have shaken out," Kirk said. "I have a ton of respect for Doug. He's made me a better football player, better man. I think he's one of the better coaches to have coached in this league, and it's just unfortunate the way that things went.
"But obviously the organization has to make a decision that they feel is best."
Pederson is most known for his tenure as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He went 42-37-1, made three playoff appearances and won Super Bowl LII in five seasons in Philadelphia (2016-20). He was fired after the 2020 season and spent 2021 out of football before joining the Jaguars in 2022.
Baalke joined the Jaguars as director of player personnel in February 2020 and was promoted to general manager after Khan fired GM Dave Caldwell that November. Baalke's tenure started with the selection of Lawrence with the first overall pick in 2021 and included Urban Meyer's calamitous 13-game span as head coach, the hiring of Pederson, an AFC South title, a rally from a 27-0 deficit to win a wild-card playoff game, the biggest collapse in franchise history, and signing one of the best free agent classes in team history.
But Baalke also made a questionable decision by choosing defensive end Travon Walker over defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 1 pick in 2022 and signed one of the most disappointing free agent classes in franchise history this season. He also was critical of the team's lack of identity on offense and defense in 2023, but the same problem has plagued the team this season.
Nine of Baalke's 38 draft picks from 2021-24 have become full-time starters, including Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr. (25th overall in 2021), cornerback Tyson Campbell (33rd overall in 2021), Walker, linebacker Devin Lloyd (27th overall in 2022), right tackle Anton Harrison (27th overall in 2023), and Thomas (23rd overall in 2024). Lawrence is the only one to make a Pro Bowl.
How Jaguars firing Doug Pederson impacts franchise QB Trevor Lawrence
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13) fired Doug Pederson on Monday, leaving owner Shad Khan to seek his sixth head coach since he purchased the team in November 2011.
Pederson, who won a Super Bowl coaching the Philadelphia Eagles, was hired in January 2022. In his first season, Pederson led the Jaguars to a 9-8 record, AFC South title and playoff win. In 2023, the Jaguars went 9-8 again but missed the playoffs. Khan expected them to return to the postseason in 2024, but it all quickly fell apart when the Jaguars started the season 0-4.
Along the way, there were embarrassing losses to the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions (the 46-point margin was the worst in franchise history). The Jaguars' four victories came against teams without a winning record.
The Jaguars had the worst passing defense in the league -- giving up 257.4 yards per game. The offense was ravaged by injuries -- none bigger than quarterback Trevor Lawrence missing seven games with a shoulder injury and concussion -- and struggled to find consistency. Pederson was unable to find answers, despite the team spending big on free agents in the offseason.
Here's more from ESPN Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco, NFL national reporter Jeremy Fowler and NFL draft analyst Matt Miller on why the Jaguars moved on from Pederson and what's in store for the Jaguars this offseason.
Why was Pederson unable to fix the Jaguars' issues?
At one point in November 2023, the Jaguars were 8-3 and in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They not only missed the playoffs that season, but have gone 5-18 since, with the only victories coming over the Carolina Panthers (2023), Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans (twice) and the New England Patriots.
Pederson didn't have the answers to turn the ship around.
The Jaguars were 3-10 in one-score games this season, the most such losses in a single season in the Super Bowl era (since 1966), according to ESPN research.
Beyond wins and losses, Pederson's inability to elevate Lawrence into one of the NFL's top quarterbacks was a problem. Since an impressive ending to the 2022 season, Lawrence -- and the offense -- have steadily declined.
From the start of the 2022 season to Week 12 of 2023, Lawrence completed 67% of his passes with 37 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Since that point, those numbers have dropped to 61.3% with 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. More importantly, his off-target percentage jumped from 14.3% to 19.7%, per ESPN Research.
Lawrence missed eight games because of multiple injuries over that span, including the seven this season.
Despite Khan hinting this past offseason that he wanted Pederson to take back playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Press Taylor, Pederson stuck with Taylor and the offense kept regressing.
Khan told the team before the season began that this was the best Jaguars squad ever assembled and that he expected to make the playoffs -- and Pederson ultimately failed to do that. -- DiRocco
A statement from Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. pic.twitter.com/jpNoeSfm81
Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 6, 2025
Why did they keep GM Trent Baalke?
While general manager Trent Baalke does shoulder some blame, he is being retained by Khan and will assist in finding a third head coach in five years. He is entering the final year of his contract.
Baalke, who took over as GM after Dave Caldwell was fired in 2020, drafted Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr. in the first round in 2021.
The GM made a questionable decision by choosing defensive end Travon Walker over DE Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall draft pick in 2022. Walker has been a very good player -- he has 24 career sacks, including 20.5 combined the past two seasons -- but Hutchinson has 28.5 sacks for the Detroit Lions and was leading the NFL with 7.5 before suffering a broken leg in Week 5.
But Baalke's 2024 first-round pick, receiver Brian Thomas Jr., set franchise rookie records in catches, yards and touchdown receptions and is regarded as the best receiver from the rookie class. Khan told the Florida Times-Union during the season that Thomas was proof of the Jaguars' draft process working.
Baalke's free agent class in 2022 -- tight end Evan Engram, receiver Christian Kirk, receiver Zay Jones, right guard Brandon Scherff, linebacker Foyesade Oluokun and cornerback Darious Williams -- was one of the best in franchise history and the core of the team when they made the playoffs.
But 2024's free agent class, other than center Mitch Morse, was a massive disappointment after dishing out over $75 million in guarantees. Receiver Gabe Davis had 20 catches in 10 games before going on IR with a knee injury, defensive tackle Arik Armstead played mainly at end and tallied two sacks, cornerback Ronald Darby lost his starting job and returner/receiver Devin Duvernay and safety Darnell Savage have made minimal impact.
There is clearly hope that a new coach will be enough to spark these Jaguars without having to undergo a rebuild of the front office. -- DiRocco
How will Lawrence be affected?
A third head coach in five seasons isn't ideal, but a fresh start could be good for Lawrence, especially if the Jaguars hire a top offensive coordinator such as the Lions' Ben Johnson or the Buccaneers' Liam Cohen.
The Jaguars' offense -- and Lawrence -- have become stagnant, and digging into a new system could energize him. Lawrence turned 25 in October. He's a young, talented player with potential, making the Jaguars' job attractive, since Lawrence is under contract for the next six seasons.
Change isn't always bad for quarterbacks. We've seen that with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold -- the first and third picks, respectively, in 2018 -- having a career renaissance this season after things soured with their original teams. Both threw for more than 4,000 yards and 35-plus touchdowns this season after finally landing in better situations.
Coach Kevin O'Connell's Vikings went 3-6 last season while starting Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall after losing Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles, and now he has Darnold in the MVP conversation. Mayfield has thrown 39 touchdown passes, shattering his previous career high (28) in Cohen's first season as the Bucs' offensive coordinator.
There is no desire to move on from Lawrence, so bringing in the right head coach and/or offensive coordinator could spark a similar surge. -- DiRocco
Does the roster have the talent to be an immediate contender in 2025?
On the offensive side, yes -- provided the team doesn't decide to move on from Kirk and Engram in an effort to save $16.9 million in cap space (which would also require a $27.1 million dead cap hit). Both players have proved their connection with Lawrence and are veteran voices in the locker room.
Lawrence has shown he can play at a game-changing level -- from Week 12 in 2022 to Week 12 in 2023, he ranked in the top 10 in completion percentage, yards per attempt, QBR and passing yards, and the Jaguars were 14-4. He just needs to stay healthy.
Now he has a WR1 in Thomas and a running back duo in Etienne and Tank Bigsby that could be solid.
Four starters will return from an offensive line that ranked 19th in pass block win rate (58.6%) and 25th in run block win rate (70.2%), so that is somewhat of a concern.
The biggest roster issue is the defense. It ranked last in the NFL in passing (257.4 yards per game) and turnovers (nine), 31st in total defense (389.9), and 27th in scoring (25.6 points per game) under coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who was in his first season with the Jaguars.
Upgrades this offseason are needed at safety, interior defensive line, cornerback, and linebacker -- and the Jaguars need to find a third pass rusher to complement Walker and end Josh Hines-Allen. Playmakers are scarce on that side of the ball, with no player having more than one interception or fumble recovery.
The Jaguars will likely find help in free agency or the NFL draft -- where they will have the No. 5 pick. -- DiRocco
How enticing is the Jaguars job? Who are you hearing might be interested?
Many around the league believe Jacksonville, on paper, is the best job, narrowly outshining Chicago. The roster has intriguing talent on both sides of the ball. Lawrence, despite his struggles, is still considered a top-half quarterback in the league. Coaching in the AFC South will be a draw, with Tennessee and Indianapolis very much in transition. Baalke staying on as general manager will be a factor.
The sentiment existed in some league circles that the Jaguars would make the head-coaching position more desirable by also opening the GM spot, signifying a complete reset. But even if Baalke's retention limits the pool, that doesn't mean the Jaguars can't get the right coach.
Jacksonville has leaned offense in its past few hires, so sticking with that theme, there are plenty of young coordinators who will fit the bill, including the Lions' Johnson, the Bucs' Coen, the Bills' Joe Brady, the Eagles' Kellen Moore and the Texans' Bobby Slowik.
The Chiefs' Matt Nagy, the Commanders' Kliff Kingsbury and the Ravens' Todd Monken fit that description as well and have head-coaching experience, something Jacksonville has valued in its past three hires (Doug Marrone, Urban Meyer and Pederson).
Also, don't sleep on Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn here. He's considered one of the strongest candidates, and even though he has been linked to the Jets' and Saints' jobs due to his history there, Jacksonville offers a good opportunity that he will likely evaluate. -- Jeremy Fowler
What position might the new Jaguars coaching staff target with the No. 5 pick?
As mentioned above, this is an offense with exciting young players in Lawrence and Thomas, along with some solid talent along the offensive line. There is room to add and round out the receiver room, but it's obvious that the Jaguars need help on defense.
The perfect prospect to answer these questions? Travis Hunter, Colorado's two-way, Heisman Trophy-winning star. His ability as a shutdown cornerback -- he had four interceptions in 2024 -- and as a game-changing wide receiver would allow the Jaguars to check off two boxes with one draft pick. Hunter could start on one side of the ball and still have a heavy package of 20 or so plays on the other in a role that allows his special tools to shine. -- Matt Miller
Why Jerod Mayo was fired after one season with the Patriots and what's next
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When the New England Patriots hired Jerod Mayo as head coach on Jan. 17, 2024, owner Robert Kraft expressed his optimism about exciting, new chapters in the franchise's championship-filled history.
Turns out there was only one chapter, as Mayo's tenure lasted one season, with the team announcing it is moving on shortly after Sunday's 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots finished 4-13 under Mayo.
Kraft handpicked Mayo as Bill Belichick's successor after 24 seasons, citing his knack for connecting with a younger generation of players and bringing people together. Fearing he would lose Mayo to another team after he interviewed with the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles, Kraft wrote succession language in Mayo's contract while Mayo was serving as a linebackers coach under Belichick.
But Kraft is now aborting those plans to move in a new direction. Here's a look at why the decision was made and what's in store for the Patriots this offseason. -- Mike Reiss
Why wasn't Mayo given more time?
Kraft had acknowledged there would be "growing pains" in Mayo's first year, in part because he inherited one of the least talented rosters in the NFL, but the tolerance to live with those pains seemed to lessen as things unraveled over the final month of the season.
The Patriots had the NFL's latest bye (Week 14) and the hope was to build momentum heading into 2025. Instead, the team played with lower-level urgency in a 30-17 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals coming out of the bye, and then no-showed two weeks later in a 40-7 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in which fans at the barely half-filled stadium chanted "Fire Mayo."
Mayo's erratic messaging with the media and linebacker Jahlani Tavai telling fans to "know their place" and not boo Mayo were among off-field issues for ownership to assess. The Patriots did show better fight against the Bills in a 24-21 road loss in Week 16, and also beat them on Sunday, but fan dissent had grown to the highest levels seen in Kraft's 31-year tenure. If the Patriots had lost Sunday vs. the Bills, they would have secured the No. 1 pick. Instead, they will pick No. 4.
"We have tremendous fans who expect and deserve a better product than we have delivered in recent years. I apologize for that. I have given much thought and consideration as to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and determined this move was the best option at this time," Kraft said in a statement on the firing. -- Reiss
How much of a role did roster talent play in the Patriots' season?
A significant role -- specifically on the offensive line and at wide receiver. The Patriots started seven different offensive line configurations in the first seven weeks of the season and 10 different combinations by season's end because of personnel missteps, injuries and poor performance.
Meanwhile, after executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf stressed the need to "weaponize" the offense in the offseason to support rookie quarterback Drake Maye, opponents had little fear of a receiving corps with Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas atop the depth chart.
Part of that is tied to coaching and a lack of development, as the Patriots had first-year position coaches along the offensive line and receiver and didn't see their rookies progress to become the frontline contributors they hoped they would be. -- Reiss
Statement from Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft: https://t.co/2YgHtzzBHK pic.twitter.com/GMXGgd768x
New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025
Could other changes to team leadership be on the horizon?
Whenever a head coach is fired, that means assistants wind up leaving as well. But those under contract could also be interviewed by whoever is hired next and possibly remain; that will be sorted out as the process evolves.
The future of Wolf and the personnel staff -- and how that fits with a new coach -- is arguably the biggest storyline. The Patriots have nine total draft picks (four within the first three rounds) and $130 million in salary cap space, so that will be a critical decision Kraft and the new coach must make. -- Reiss
How will this change impact QB Drake Maye?
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, whose future with the franchise was uncertain even if Mayo stayed, was the coach who worked most closely with Maye. Van Pelt was credited by Mayo for aiding Maye's development more than anyone else in the organization.
So, this opens the possibility that Maye will be learning a new system in his second NFL season and also working with new coaches other than quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney, assistant QBs coach Evan Rothstein and senior assistant Ben McAdoo. -- Reiss
How desirable is the Patriots' head coach opening, and who are the front-runners?
The biggest issue for prospective candidates will be the lack of top-end roster talent with which to work. But the Patriots are set up to change that, with $130-plus million in cap space, a franchise quarterback to attract pass-catching free agents and plenty of draft capital. And New England can offer the mystique and tradition associated with six Super Bowls during the Belichick-Tom Brady era.
While I expect New England to conduct a wide-ranging search, you've got to think former Tennessee Titans coach and Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel will at least be involved. It makes too much sense, given his ties there. And that has been the expectation among some inside the league in recent days, that, should the job open, he will be interested. But Vrabel will have other options, too. Another contender might be Vikings defensive coordinator and former Patriots assistant Brian Flores, who has reset his career in Minnesota with two successful years.
This is also a chance for New England to talk with offensive-minded candidates to maximize Maye's development. Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen, considered one of the rising candidates, has several New England ties -- he grew up in Rhode Island, played at UMass and coached at Brown, UMass and Maine. -- Jeremy Fowler
What should the Patriots do with the No. 4 pick to help their new coach?
The Patriots' depth chart is in desperate need of repair and top-tier talent. With the No. 4 pick, New England has to focus on adding a blue-chip prospect in a draft class that is not rich in them.
The smart move is to identify the player who can best help Maye. That decision likely comes down to a wide receiver like Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan or Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Now that the Patriots have been knocked out of the No. 1 pick, addressing offensive deficiencies in Round 1 is the play. Several teams have been in a similar position -- most recently the Cincinnati Bengals when deciding between Penei Sewell and Ja'Marr Chase in the 2021 draft -- and there's a leaguewide debate on how to best build a team. That said, good wide receivers can be found in Round 2. Premier left tackles are much harder to find. Banks should be the pick. -- Matt Miller
Superstar moves, new look rosters? Key questions ahead of the trade deadline
We're about a month out from the NBA's trade deadline on Feb. 6, and we've already seen a few teams make moves, as well as some superstar drama with a standoff between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
But what other major trade deadline storylines should we be watching? The era of the second apron is in full effect, and trade season has been relatively quiet compared to the past. But there is still room for teams to make some big splashes to help improve their rosters before the postseason.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine are two of the bigger names expected to be available at the deadline, but what other major moves can we expect to be made in the next month?
Our NBA experts debate some of the biggest trade deadline questions, including whether the Los Angeles Lakers will make another move to address LeBron James' quest for another championship, and which teams in the East and West will have a new-look roster come February.
Which team needs to make a big trade splash to boost its standings?
Tim Bontemps: There's no shortage of options here, with the Minnesota Timberwolves being one of them. It felt like the Karl-Anthony Towns trade was a two-step move, and we're still waiting for the second move to happen. The Wolves, thanks in large part to Mike Conley looking his age, have been clunky offensively and could use another shot creator and ball handler. It'll be interesting to see whether they look different come Feb. 6.
Bobby Marks: The Sacramento Kings. The Kings changed their roster in the offseason, trading Harrison Barnes to San Antonio and acquiring DeMar DeRozan from the Bulls. The addition of DeRozan and re-signing of Malik Monk were supposed to boost a roster that won 46 games last season. Instead, Sacramento is on the outside of the play-in and fired coach Mike Brown. Because the Kings owe the Atlanta Hawks a top-12 protected first in 2025 and top-10 protected first in 2026 if not conveyed the prior season, the earliest Sacramento can trade a first is in 2028. Besides their draft assets, Sacramento has the $16.8 million contract of Kevin Huerter (he has $17.9 million owed in 2025-26) and $8 million expiring contract of Trey Lyles. Most recently, they have been linked to Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson.
Kevin Pelton: The Golden State Warriors have the best combination of ability to make a trade and take advantage of one. I'm not sure adding Jimmy Butler would make the Warriors championship contenders at this stage of Stephen Curry's career, but a consolidation trade for another All-Star would put Golden State in a strong position to claim a top-six seed in the West and potentially be favored in the first round of the playoffs.
Michael Wright: Moving Jimmy Butler won't necessarily boost Miami's standings, but it probably needs to jettison the star as soon as possible to prevent distractions that could cause the Heat to slip back in the East. They lost by 36 to the Utah Jazz in their first game after Butler was suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team." The suspension, which ends before a Jan. 19 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, has raised constant speculation and questions regarding the forward. Given the limitations that accompany the current collective bargaining agreement, trading Butler will be difficult. But not moving him could end up tanking Miami's season.
Jamal Collier: The Warriors. After a fast start to the season, Golden State has been struggling for weeks and dipping in the standings. The Warriors have been chasing a star for some time now, and it's clear they need to find some help for Curry if they want to make it out of the play-in tournament, let alone make a deep playoff run. If not, teams will be more than comfortable sending double- and triple-teams at Curry while daring the rest of the Warriors' role players to beat them.
Which star (other than Jimmy Butler) is most likely to be moved at the deadline?
Wright: Brandon Ingram appears to be a major priority for the New Orleans Pelicans; he's in the final year of his contract, seeking more than the Pels can pay and in an environment in which the team faces future financial restrictions. Ingram has played in 65 games or more only once -- his rookie season -- and he's currently advancing through the rehab process to return from a sprained left ankle. Multiple teams are reportedly showing interest, but they'll likely wait to see how he looks returning from injury, and they'll want to be certain he's ready for the second half of the season.
Bontemps: This might not be a fun answer, but I'm going with no one. Every conversation I've had with scouts, executives, agents and league personnel for months has been centered around how stiff the trade market is due to the combination of money on teams' books, the lack of draft capital among contenders and, most importantly, the collective bargaining agreement coming fully online this season. Unless big salary players are being swapped for each other, it's hard to see a huge star making a move in the next month.
Pelton: A Brandon Ingram trade makes too much sense not to happen ... right? Ingram is heading toward unrestricted free agency on a team that now has the NBA's worst record. New Orleans can no longer afford to be picky about getting value for Ingram. Anything better than what the Pelicans could get this summer in a sign-and-trade would still be a win, given their payroll issues going forward.
Marks: As one GM told me after the Dorian Finney-Smith trade to the Lakers, expect more singles and doubles, less triples and home runs when it comes to transactions. As a result, Butler could be the lone All-Star-level player moved at the deadline, and even that is not a certainty. Besides the New Orleans Pelicans' Brandon Ingram, keep an eye on the Nets' Cameron Johnson. Although he is not considered a star player, Johnson is averaging a career high in points (19.3), field goal percentage (49.1%) and 3-point percentage (43.2%). His $22.5 million salary is less than half of Butler's.
Collier: Brandon Ingram. He was already a candidate to be traded before he hit unrestricted free agency this summer, and that was before the Pelicans' season turned into a disaster. Now with one of the league's worst records and in need of a shakeup, it makes sense for New Orleans to find Ingram a new team after contract extension talks have repeatedly fizzled, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks and Tim MacMahon.
Fact or fiction: The Lakers will make another trade before the deadline
Bontemps: Fact, though I'd suspect it's something along the lines of the Dorian Finney-Smith deal rather than something bigger. Again, it's hard for teams to stack up a bunch of money, making it hard for the Lakers to make a big swing, but they do have a couple of midsized deals that they could swing to get another solid player. Some of this, though, will likely depend on where the team sits in the standings in the next month, and whether LeBron James and Anthony Davis can remain healthy.
Wright: Fact. It won't be easy. But even after acquiring two-way wing Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers are reportedly still looking to add some frontcourt depth. It has been rumored that Los Angeles is hoping to land the Washington Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas as it still holds a couple of second-round picks as assets. But Washington's asking price might be too rich for the Lakers, which will surely have competition for Valanciunas' services. Luckily for the Lakers, Valanciunas isn't the only option, as multiple teams are shopping potential backup centers.
Marks: Fact. The Lakers added Dorian Finney-Smith at the cost of three second-round picks and still have the resources in draft picks (up to two firsts available) and financial flexibility ($3.5 million below the second apron) to continue improving the roster. With the emergence of forward Max Christie in the starting lineup, the priority in Los Angeles is acquiring a center who can complement Anthony Davis or back him up. The Lakers rank in the bottom five in points in the paint and second-chance points allowed.
Pelton: Fact. The Lakers have overwhelming financial incentive to trade away Christian Wood and cut their tax bill. Will they add a rotation player in a trade? It's a toss-up, though I'd lean more toward yes than no. The Lakers could still use an upgrade to their center depth, but if it costs them a first-round pick to improve marginally, they should wait to see what happens on the buyout market.
Collier: Fact. The expectations are always high in Los Angeles with an aging superstar in LeBron James and an improving Anthony Davis. Since their championship in 2020, the Lakers have struggled in the postseason and can't stand pat if they expect this team to remain in the top six in the West with aspirations of a deep playoff run.
The team in the East that will be most improved after the deadline is ____?
Bontemps: The Philadelphia 76ers, just because Daryl Morey has a history of being aggressive at the trade deadline to improve his team. The 76ers have several first-round picks to move and salary that they can package to add players. However, none of the teams at the top of the Eastern Conference have a ton of flexibility to make moves, so this answer could easily be the Nets, simply because of a successful teardown putting them in position to secure the highest possible lottery odds.
Marks: The Orlando Magic. The Magic could pass on the trade deadline and still be the most improved team on Feb. 6. Orlando has consistently remained in the top four of the Eastern Conference without starters Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Banchero was averaging 29 points per game before he suffered a torn right oblique in late October. Wagner averaged a career-high 23 points before also sustaining a torn right oblique in early December.
Wright: It has got to be the 76ers, given their win-now mentality, slow start and where they currently sit in the East standings with a president of basketball operations in Daryl Morey who will be looking to maximize the team's window for contention with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Philadelphia's roster is currently top-heavy, but it does own six second-round picks it can use in a trade to add size in the frontcourt.
Pelton: The Magic, because there are no trade additions who can possibly be as good as getting Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner back healthy. Orlando has slipped out of the race for a top-three seed in the East, where the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks have separated themselves from the pack. But I still like the Magic's chances of holding off a large group of contenders for fourth in the standings so long as Banchero returns before the end of January.
Collier: The Sixers. The biggest things they need in the second half of the season will be actually having Joel Embiid healthy and on the court. Philly is currently No. 11 in the East standings but is still only three games out of the No. 6 seed, something it can easily achieve if Embiid is healthy enough to take it there.
The team in the West that will be most improved after the deadline is ____?
Bontemps: The Houston Rockets if -- and it's a very big if -- they can add another reliable scoring option on the perimeter. But Houston is more likely to save its big chips for the offseason to make a much larger move. So I'll also make a speculative pick with the Dallas Mavericks, who have been aggressive under general manager Nico Harrison and will probably make a significant move between now and Feb. 6.
Marks: The Memphis Grizzlies. Before the Lakers came in at the last minute, the Grizzlies were positioned to acquire forward Dorian Finney-Smith from the Nets. The framework of the trade (Luke Kennard, John Konchar and a 2025 protected first) confirms that Memphis is not content with the second-best record in the Western Conference and will want to make some type of move for its frontcourt.
Pelton: The Sacramento Kings. Not only do I expect the Kings to upgrade via trade, they figure to improve simply with better fortune in close games. Sacramento's plus-1.3 differential ranks eighth in the West, yet the Kings are 12th in the standings in large part because they've lost a league-high 13 games that qualify as clutch per NBA Advanced Stats (game within five points at any point in the last five minutes).
Wright: It's a toss-up between the Warriors and Rockets because both own nice mixes of young players and draft assets to make deals. But let's go with the Warriors because they're currently in play-in territory as a "very mid [team] right now," according to Curry, with nowhere to go but up. Curry's comments sounded like a plea to general manager Mike Dunleavy, who has a maximum of three first-rounders and a pair of second-round picks available to trade.
Collier: The LA Clippers. Similar to the Sixers, they're also adding back into the mix a big piece with Kawhi Leonard, who made his season debut Saturday. The Clippers were able to stay afloat without him at 19-15 and are seventh in the West. Now they've got a chance to improve in a difficult conference and be well positioned heading into the playoffs if they can keep Leonard on the floor.
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