Jacksonville Jaguars

Full history of the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of the NFL’s youngest franchises but with a colourful past:

🐆 Founding and Early Years (1993–1995)

  • The Jaguars were founded as an expansion franchise in 1993, alongside the Carolina Panthers.

  • They officially began play in the 1995 NFL season, joining the AFC Central (later moved to the AFC South in 2002 realignment).

  • Businessman Wayne Weaver was the founding owner; the team’s teal, black, and gold colours quickly became iconic.

  • Home games were played at what is now known as EverBank Stadium (formerly Jacksonville Municipal Stadium / TIAA Bank Field).

🌟 Shock Success (1996–1999)

  • After a tough inaugural year (4–12 in 1995), head coach Tom Coughlin turned the team into an immediate contender.

  • In just their second season (1996), the Jaguars made the playoffs, famously upsetting the heavily favoured Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round before losing the AFC Championship Game.

  • The late 1990s were their golden era:

    • 1996–1999: Four straight playoff appearances.

    • 1999 season: Best record in the NFL (14–2). The Jags reached the AFC Championship but lost to the Tennessee Titans—the only team to beat them that year (three times total).

📉 Decline and Struggles (2000s)

  • After 1999, cap issues and roster turnover hit hard.

  • The team had sporadic success under new coach Jack Del Rio (2003–2011), making playoff trips in 2005 and 2007.

  • In 2007, they beat the Steelers in the Wild Card but lost to the Patriots in the Divisional Round.

  • The late 2000s saw struggles with attendance and on-field performance.

📉 Tough Times & Rebuilds (2010s)

  • Ownership changed hands in 2011, when Pakistani-American billionaire Shahid Khan purchased the team.

  • On the field, the Jags endured one of the NFL’s worst stretches:

    • Between 2011–2016, the team had no winning seasons and constant coaching/QB turnover.

    • Rumors often swirled about relocation to Los Angeles or London, though Khan repeatedly affirmed commitment to Jacksonville.

  • Bright spot: The Jaguars became the NFL’s “London team,” playing annually at Wembley Stadium starting in 2013.

⚡ The 2017 Breakthrough (“Sacksonville”)

  • Under coach Doug Marrone and with a ferocious defense, the Jaguars shocked the NFL in 2017:

    • Finished 10–6, won the AFC South.

    • Defense nicknamed “Sacksonville” led by Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, and Myles Jack.

    • Reached the AFC Championship Game, nearly upsetting the New England Patriots before losing 24–20.

  • QB Blake Bortles had his best season, but inconsistency at QB doomed the long-term success.

📉 Collapse and Trevor Lawrence Era (2018–2021)

  • After 2017, the team fell apart quickly, with disputes, trades, and poor QB play.

  • Between 2018–2020, the Jags won just 12 total games.

  • 2020 season: 1–15 record, earning the #1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

  • Drafted Trevor Lawrence, a generational QB prospect from Clemson.

  • Hired controversial coach Urban Meyer, who lasted less than one season due to scandals and poor performance (2–11 record before being fired).

🏈 Doug Pederson & Return to Relevance (2022–Present)

  • Hired Doug Pederson (former Eagles Super Bowl–winning coach) in 2022.

  • Lawrence’s development accelerated under Pederson:

    • 2022 season: Jaguars went from 2–6 to finish 9–8, won the AFC South.

    • Pulled off a miraculous 31–30 Wild Card win over the Chargers after trailing 27–0.

    • Lost in the Divisional Round to the Chiefs but re-established credibility.

  • 2023 season: Started hot but faded late, finishing 9–8 and missing playoffs.

  • As of 2025, Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne Jr., and pass rusher Josh Allen form the core of a young roster that keeps the Jags in playoff conversations.

📊 Quick Facts

  • Founded: 1993 (first season 1995)

  • Owner: Shahid Khan (since 2011)

  • Stadium: EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, FL)

  • Super Bowl appearances: 0

  • AFC Championship appearances: 3 (1996, 1999, 2017)

  • Division titles: 4 (1998, 1999, 2017, 2022)

  • International history: Regular host in London since 2013, centerpiece of NFL’s international expansion.

 

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