Tanking is always a hot topic and discussed in every major sport. In the NFL, there is always one team that’s rumored to be the team that is “tanking”. Last year it was the Dolphins, which they weren’t. In 2017, it was the Jets, which they weren’t. In 2011, it was the Colts, which has some merit. With the recent news that the Jaguars released Leonard Fournette, it is confirming what people already believe their plan is. So, are they tanking?
Roster Overhaul
They have moved a lot of pieces over the last year. Trading: Nick Foles, Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, AJ Bouye, and Yannick Ngakoue. They have also declined Marcell Dareus’ team option, as well as releasing Leonard Fournette and Marqise Lee. So, what is the rational behind all these moves and getting rid of familiar faces?
One of the biggest free agent busts this past season was Nick Foles. The team clearly responded better with Gardner Minshew under center. Rather than wait and hope things improve, they pulled the plug and took their losses cap wise. Both Jalen Ramsey and Yannick Ngakoue demanded trades, so there wasn’t much choice other than to move them. Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus have been showing signs of slowing down and were no longer playing up to their contract. Leonard Fournette was not very productive and Marqise Lee has been struggling with injuries.
So What’s The Plan?
They seem to be replicating what the Dolphins were doing last year. Where they cut ties with some of their familiar faces, entering a youth movement. They have been adding picks to their draft capital to help build around the young corps. As well as taking their financial losses now, opening more possibilities down the road.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that this team isn’t tanking. First, they have been active members in free agency. Bringing in Joe Shcobert, Tyler Eifert, Rodney Gunter, and Darqueze Dennard, among other veteran names. As well as keeping a few of their veterans, guys like Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, and AJ Cann.
They have also kept Doug Marrone around. While you and I don’t think he can get the job done, it’s apparent the Jaguars think he can. Along with keeping Marrone, they brought in Jay Gruden to be their offensive coordinator. As a former head coach, he is another voice in the room with experience in leading a group.
Conclusion
So the question is, are the Jaguars tanking? I don’t think so. Did they get rid of a lot of recognizable faces? Sure. Even if they finished with the worst record in the league and got Trevor Lawrence, I still wouldn’t consider it a tank job. The reason why is because over the last two years the Jaguars are a combined 11-21, with a lot of the names they have parted ways with being on the roster at the time. It was clear that they weren’t getting the job done, so it was time to reset the roster.
Obviously they are not going to be very good–as our staff ranked them as the worst team in the NFL–nor are they trying to be. However, that doesn’t mean they are trying to lose on purpose. Their plan seems to be that they are trying to hit the reset button. This includes constructing a very youthful roster–the third youngest team in the league. Building their draft capital and trying to open new opportunities by opening up a lot of cap space.