Doug Pederson and Byron Leftwich: Pedigree vs Potential

Former Philidelphia Eagles head coach and Super Bowl winner Doug Pederson has won the head coaching job for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The once playoff caliber Jaguars haven’t won more than 6 games in the last 4 seasons. Most recently, the Jaguars lost 14; managing to win only 3 games before post season. Some of their wins were impressive, (a win against the Bills) but they just flat out stunk.

Doug has had a bit more luck in the last 5 years winning a Super Bowl, reaching the playoffs 3 times, and only having 2 losing seasons as Head Coach of the Eagles. Pederson, however, would go on to have a regressive year in 2020 (losing 4-11).

This season prompt his removal by the Eagles, which is a tough organization to work within. So as you can see the Jags are possibly heading into the right direction with Pederson, or should they have headed in another direction with other coaching candidate Byron Leftwich?

Byron Leftwich was a town favorite of course in that he spent 4 years with the Jaguars as a quarterback and won some notable games. Byron was drafted in the first round, but he was never in a Pro Bowl and was a Super Bowl Champion as a backup. Still, Byron has had better luck on the coaching side of the field.

Byron was a major part of the Buccaneers first Super Bowl win (2020) since 2002. As an Offensive coordinator with the Buccaneers, he’s worked with the likes of Tom Brady and Jamies Winston. In those back to back seasons (2019 (Winston, 2020 Brady) both Brady and Winston combined for over 9,000 yards and over 60 touchdowns. Byron Leftwich is clearly an able candidate.

Doug is considered a builder. He took over an organization that hadn’t won the big show since 1960. Doug’s momentum, however, began to wain and he was unfortunately let go.

Byron is seen as a creative innovator. He’s helped orchestrate a Super Bowl season beside Bruce Arians. There is no question that Byron can help a QB reach his full potential.

Who would I have chosen? I’d still pick Doug Pederson. Doug already has the Head Coach Super Bowl winning pedigree. He’s picked his coaches and he has an idea how management works on the head coach level. While I believe that Byron would be a great Head Coach, I would stay with theasafe bet for now. I think Byron’s chance is soon coming still.