I’d argue that the most important trait of a coach, or any leader for that matter, is the ability to create an environment that fosters success. Regardless of talent, experience, personnel, a quality leader is one who, at the very least, is able to support those around them through a vision that best suits those individuals and the team as a whole.
It’s a seemingly simple trait of leadership, yet it can be so elusive all the same. Regarding the, now 2-9, Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2024 season has been a failure in this respect at almost every step of the way.
No singular facet of the Jaguars’ season better represents this dysfunction than the misunderstanding of Arik Armstead. In a way, it’s a striking microcosm of the Jacksonville Jaguars ineptitude as a whole.
Trent Baalke and the front office went into the 2024 offseason with hopes of adding an elite, or at least quality, defensive lineman to the dangerous pass-rushing tandem of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
The duo were coming off of a league-best 27.5 sacks and were locked in for years to come after inking Hines-Allen to a record-breaking 5-year/ $141 million extension. As far as pass-rushers went, the future looked bright in Jacksonville.
Unsurprisingly, fans were elated to hear that the Jaguars had signed Arik Armstead, coming off of a Super Bowl appearance with the San Francisco 49ers. For Jacksonville, their prayers for a premier pass-rushing defensive tackle had been answered… or so they thought.
Fast-forward to the start of the 2024 season and fans were anxious about the lack of a rotational edge rusher. The team signed Arik Armstead and followed that up by drafting LSU defensive linemen Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson.
The depth on the interior looked solid, further strengthened by the return of DaVon Hamilton. But what about on the edge?
When the initial 53-man roster was revealed, you can likely imagine why many were puzzled. The Jaguars elected to keep four defensive ends on the roster, Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Myles Cole and Arik Armstead???
Without a quality defensive end to play backup to Hines-Allen and Walker, the Jaguars’ staff seemed to look to Armstead to fill the void. Even early on, there were some concerns with this decision. Over time, those concerns have only magnified.
Arik Armstead has never really been a true edge rusher in the NFL or in college for that matter. Sure, he’s filled the role at times, but for the majority of his career he’s been an interior defensive lineman, a great one at that.
The decision also completely nullifies the central reason behind signing him, to add a defensive tackle who could rush the passer. Thought to be an immediate starter and upgrade to the defensive line, now relegated to being a rotational pass-rusher, a $43.5 million rotational pass-rusher.
At the end of the day, what has the signing Arik Armstead really accomplished? Sure, the team added a talented pass-rusher in free agency, but when you figure that he’s both playing out of position and just 46% of snaps, what great impact can he really have on this defense? At the cost of $43.5 million, no less.
According to defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and Armstead, this was the vision for Armstead all along. Part of the allure that brought Armstead to Jacksonville was the notion that he would mainly play defensive end.
Armstead’s presence at defensive end also leads to another problem that has hindered the Jaguars’ defensive success, the team’s willingness to take Hines-Allen and Walker off the field in exchange. The pass-rushing rotation was further demented by the WILD rock, paper, scissors fiasco against the Eagles.
As of the Jaguars’ bye week, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have seen a 7.5% and 2.7% decrease in play time from last season, respectively. In a move made to help propel the duo forward, the Armstead signing has only held them back.
Despite the decrease in play time and pass-rush opportunities, the two edge rushers are single-handedly keeping a 29th ranked Jaguars’ pass-rush alive, combining for 88 pressures and 12.5 sacks. Somehow, someway, the Jaguars still don’t have anyone to create pressure on the interior. The need for one remains.
Keep in mind,no one person should be held accountable. It’s dysfunction across the board. From the front office, to the coaching staff, to the player, a single individual isn’t to blame or is blameless.
To add some statistical context to this tragedy, Armstead’s pressure rate at defensive tackle (11.0%) almost triples that of his pressure rate at defensive end (4.1%) this season.
That 11.0% pressure rate inside is rather impressive. In fact, it’s nearly identical to Dexter Lawrence’s 11.2% pressure rate. It’s rather curious to imagine a world where Armstead, Hines-Allen and Walker are all on the field simultaneously. Even so, the Jaguars’ staff remains steadfast on their intent to play him at defensive end.
By no means is the mishandling of Armstead the sole instance of not setting players up for success. Despite being the 29th ranked pass-rush, Nielsen notably blitzes the least of any team in the NFL, just 14% of the time. What should have been one of the league’s scariest defensive fronts is anything but.
The offense is certainly not free of blame either. The Jaguars are near the bottom in the league snap-motion %, a figure that continues to rise year in and year out, however, Jacksonville’s offense fails to evolve with the times.
The lack of offensive creativity is further lowlighted by the use of Brian Thomas Jr, who, despite the abysmal season, is having a spectacular rookie campaign. Especially as of late, however, the Jaguars have failed to create opportunities for the star youngster to get his hands on the ball as often as he should or is maybe necessary.
Thomas Jr. has quietly been one of the league’s most productive receivers from the slot, tied for the NFL lead with four touchdowns from inside. Additionally, he’s averaging 2.88 yards per route and 18.3 yards per reception. Despite that, he ranks 58th among NFL receivers with just 81 slot routes run, according to Pro Football Focus.
So much has gone wrong for the 2024 Jaguars, it’s impossible to blame just one person or thing for the team’s 2-9 record at the bye. Two years ago, the team had won its first playoff game since 2017. One year ago, the team sat atop the AFC, boasting a 8-3 record. In some ways, It’s easy to see why Shad Khan spoke so highly of the team prior to the season.
“Make no mistake, this is the best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars, ever. Best players, best coaches. But most importantly, let’s prove it by winning now,” said Khan.
Sadly, that reality no longer exists for Jacksonville and Jaguars’ fans must likely face yet another regime change, laden with hopes for the future, for greatness. For now though, the franchise has to find a way to limp to the finish line and discover what destiny has in store.
- All data not cited is from NFL Pro