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What Jaguars players, Doug Pederson said after overtime loss to Colts: 'We didn't quit'
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- What Jaguars players, Doug Pederson said after overtime loss to Colts: 'We didn't quit'
INDIANAPOLIS — The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't quitters.
They never wavered, there wasn't a lost locker room or anything of the sort despite reports from outside media early in the year. No, the team fought until the bitter end, even as the disappointing year ended how it began — a last-second, one-score loss.
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TAKEAWAYS: Jacksonville Jaguars lose to Colts 26-23 in overtime as potential changes loom
There's no excuse. But, it's worth mentioning that the Jaguars (4-13) has had 10 one-score losses this season, the most by any team in a single season in the Super Bowl era (since 1966), according to ESPN .
"Another one-score loss. But, yeah, it's sort of fitting for the type of year we had. To take it into overtime, get electric football, and still lose by a score. So, listen, we have to, obviously as a team, we have to learn," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said in his postgame press conference following a 26-23 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts (8-9).
"We have to, and we're learning the hard way, but we have to learn how to win and win these close games like this, because this is what the league is about. Kind of a fitting way to end our season."
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Pederson had plenty on his mind with potential changes looming on the horizon. Still, as his emotions continue to ride high, he said he remains optimistic about his future with the team.
"I'll find out this week. It's hard to speculate right now, emotions are running high, obviously. I hope that I'm still here, honestly. I feel like we've got the makings of being a good football team and our main guys, one, need to get healthy, and two, we've got to continue to work hard. So, I'm optimistic and hopeful that that happens," Pederson said.
Pederson said that any turnaround from this year's disappointing season "has to" be quick.
"I think it has to, honestly. The turnaround has to be quick, has to be fast and we gotta do it the right way. Just continue to work and build the pieces, put together a strong football team heading into next year," he said.
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Ultimately, the decision will be up to owner Shad Khan, who has not been quick to pull the plug on operations in the past — Urban Meyer's situation notwithstanding.
Pederson is still working to help change the team for the better, though. He said that work starts right after the season as they look to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.
"Everything begins to change, and you change for the better, and you try to get better, you try to improve, but, for the moment, right now, I appreciate every one of those guys in there," said Pederson.
"They worked their tails off. They worked hard for me. They didn't quit on me, they didn't quit on each other, and they battled to the end. So these are hard moments because there's obviously no football for the season."
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Travon Walker believes team can improve, won't speculate on coaching decisions
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 05: Joe Flacco #15 of the Indianapolis Colts scrambles in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
In what feels like a lifetime ago, former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles made waves during a postgame press conference and uttered an iconic phrase: "I just work here."
Six years later, Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker echoed that phrase when asked about the team's potential looming changes.
"I just work here. I don't know what's going on or nothing on that side of things, so I just do what I have to do on the field and that'll take care of itself," Walker said in the postgame locker room.
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The former first-overall pick finishes this season with 10.5 sacks, earning double-digit sacks for a second consecutive year, something he said was a "decent season" for him.
"I kind of started out hot, didn't finish as strong as I wanted to, but obviously registering over 10 sacks again, it really means a lot. I want to be that consistent player in the NFL, and it's just a sign of consistency. So we just want to continue to feed off of that," Walker said.
But, Walker is a team-first player, something he also attributed to the team as a whole, giving reasons as to why they never quit when it would have been easy to do this year.
"You have a lot of guys on this team that play the game of football for the right reasons, not just for the money, accolades. We don't really have any selfish individuals. Everybody come out here, they love the game of football and they playing for the brother next to them," Walker said.
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That was evident earlier in the year but stood out Sunday as the team came back from being down 20-13 to tie the game, and tied it up again 23-23 near the end of the game to send it into overtime.
"Just seeing the guys all fighting until the end, you hear the conversation on the sideline, everybody trying to do it for the brother next to them. That's really how it was on the sideline, so everything was still positive even though the outcome wasn't how we wanted it," Walker added.
That sentiment was echoed by veteran center Mitch Morse .
"It was never a lack of effort, and it could have happened early in the season. So, I think coach iterating and reiterating the fact that we didn't quit on each other, that's special. Yes, we're 4-13 this year, and that leaves a terrible taste in your mouth, but it wasn't all bad in regards to fellowship and camaraderie," said Morse.
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Morse was candid, though, and said that the team must put a better product on the field moving forward into 2025. He knows it's about winning at the end of the day.
"No matter what happens, we'll understand personnel decisions, any decisions that are made, because you have to put a better product on the field. Fans deserve it. Team deserves it," said Morse.
"I think all we can do is appreciate that this is the last time that this group of individuals came together. Besides that, nothing else is on our mind except being together on this plane ride home."
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Pederson wants to return, players optimistic and feel together
