Jacksonville Jaguars

American Football

The Jacksonville Jaguars are an NFL team from Florida, known for early playoff success and a passionate fan base aiming for their first Super Bowl.

Founded

30 November 1993

Sport

American Football

Countries

United States

Owner

Shahid Khan

Summary

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. Established in 1995 as one of two expansion teams alongside the Carolina Panthers, the Jaguars quickly made an impact in the league despite their recent formation.

The team plays its home games at EverBank Stadium, a venue located on the north bank of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. The stadium is known for its vibrant atmosphere and passionate fan base, which has supported the team through both successful and challenging periods.

The Jaguars enjoyed early success in their history, reaching the playoffs in four of their first five seasons. They captured two division titles during this time and made two appearances in the AFC Championship Game, marking them as one of the most competitive new franchises in NFL history. This rapid rise helped establish a strong foundation for the team and energized football fans in Jacksonville and beyond.

Ownership of the franchise transitioned in 2012 when Shahid Khan purchased the team from the original owner, Wayne Weaver. Under Khan’s leadership, the Jaguars have aimed to rebuild and develop a competitive roster, investing in key players and coaching staff to return the team to playoff contention.

The Jaguars’ journey has included periods of struggle and rebuilding, with coaching changes and roster turnover influencing the team’s performance. Notable moments in recent years include drafting quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and capturing the AFC South division title in 2022 under head coach Doug Pederson. The team staged one of the largest comebacks in NFL playoff history during that season’s Wild Card Round, demonstrating their potential for future success.

History

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. Established in 1995 as one of the NFL’s two expansion teams alongside the Carolina Panthers, the Jaguars quickly made their mark in the league. The franchise was awarded to Jacksonville after a competitive bidding process in the early 1990s, with the NFL owners voting overwhelmingly in favour of the city over other finalists such as St. Louis and Baltimore. The team plays its home games at EverBank Stadium, located on the north bank of the St. Johns River.

Tom Coughlin was hired as the Jaguars’ first head coach and played a pivotal role in building the team’s foundation. The Jaguars’ inaugural season in 1995 was challenging, finishing with a 4–12 record. However, rapid progress followed, and by their second season in 1996, led by quarterback Mark Brunell and standout wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith, the Jaguars reached the playoffs. Remarkably, they reached the AFC Championship Game just a year after their debut, an impressive feat for such a young franchise. The Jaguars returned to the AFC Championship in 1999 after a franchise-best 14–2 regular season, cementing their status as a competitive team early on.

Following these early successes, the Jaguars faced periods of struggle and transition. Tom Coughlin’s tenure ended in 2002 after several less successful seasons. Jack Del Rio then took over as head coach from 2003 to 2011, during which the team had mixed results, including playoff appearances in 2005 and 2007. Quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and David Garrard were key players during this era.

The Jaguars went through several coaching changes and tough seasons in the 2010s. Gus Bradley, Mike Mularkey, and Doug Marrone each had stints as head coach, with Marrone leading the team back to the playoffs in 2017. That year, the Jaguars captured the AFC South title and advanced to the AFC Championship Game but fell to the New England Patriots. However, the team then entered a rebuilding phase marked by poor records, including a 1–15 season in 2020.

In 2021, Urban Meyer was hired but was dismissed before completing his first season. The Jaguars drafted quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, signalling a new era. In 2022, under head coach Doug Pederson, the Jaguars won the AFC South again and staged a historic playoff comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round. Pederson was fired after the 2024 season.

In January 2025, Liam Coen was named head coach, beginning a new chapter for the franchise. Throughout its history, the Jaguars have been recognised for their early rapid success, periods of rebuilding, and passionate fan base in Jacksonville, striving to reach the Super Bowl for the first time.

Ownership

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ ownership history began with Wayne Weaver, who was awarded the franchise in 1993 as part of the NFL’s expansion plan. Weaver played a crucial role in establishing the Jaguars as a competitive team from the outset. Under his leadership, the franchise rapidly built a solid foundation, hiring Tom Coughlin as the first head coach and focusing on strong player development. Weaver was involved in shaping the team’s identity, helping the Jaguars make four playoff appearances and two AFC Championship Games in their first five seasons. His vision was to create a winning culture and cultivate a passionate fan base in Jacksonville.

Weaver remained the team’s majority owner for nearly two decades. During this period, the Jaguars experienced ups and downs, with periods of success and rebuilding. However, challenges emerged in the late 2000s and early 2010s, as the team struggled to maintain consistent competitiveness. Despite these difficulties, Weaver oversaw significant investments in the stadium and community, aiming to enhance the overall fan experience.

In 2012, Shahid Khan purchased the Jaguars from Wayne Weaver, marking a new chapter for the franchise. Khan’s acquisition brought fresh energy and resources, as he committed to revitalising the team both on and off the field. Khan invested heavily in upgrading EverBank Stadium, introducing modern facilities, including the world’s largest video boards, and creating a more fan-friendly environment.

Under Khan’s ownership, the Jaguars have focused on long-term rebuilding, emphasising the development of young talent and hiring experienced coaching staff. He has been involved in strategic decisions, including drafting key players like Trevor Lawrence and bringing in coaches such as Doug Pederson to restore competitiveness. Khan’s ownership has strengthened the Jaguars’ presence in the NFL and their local community, with ongoing efforts to build a sustainable winning culture while engaging fans and supporting charitable initiatives throughout Jacksonville.

Award

Domestic

Super Bowl Championships: 0 times

AFC Championships: 2 times

1996
1999

Division Titles: 4 times

1998 (AFC Central)
1999 (AFC Central)
2017 (AFC South)
2022 (AFC South)

Playoff Appearances since 2000: 6 times

2005
2007
2017
2022
2023
2024

Individual Awards

AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: 1 time

1997 – Fred Taylor

AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: 1 time

1997 – Carnell Lake (Note: Carnell Lake played for the Jaguars but won Defensive Rookie of the Year before joining Jacksonville; technically no Jaguars player has won this award while on the team)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees associated with the Jaguars: