After being eliminated from playoff contention last week, after the Houston Texans drubbed the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, the Jacksonville Jaguars would have to wait again for another season to have playoff aspirations. The team currently stands at 5-10 and has been the best year in the Gus Bradley era in his first three seasons as a NFL head coach. He has an overall record of 12-35 in his career, currently the second-worst percentage in NFL history, but knowing that the team has been scrapped apart from when he took over in 2012. Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan notified the Jaguars head coach on Tuesday that he would not be going anywhere after this coming Sunday’s season finale against the Texans.

“I spoke to Gus Bradley today to confirm to him that he will continue as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. It's evident to see how far we've come in many aspects of our game, and Gus deserves a lot of credit for that progress," Khan said.

"It's also evident the considerable work that remains to be done to be where we expect to be at this time next season, which is well above where we stand today. And Gus understands that. [Jaguars General Manager] Dave Caldwell and I also spoke today and we are both confident that Gus will make 2016 the best year of his career. In the meantime, I expect his coaching staff and team to respond favorably to this news in preparation for Houston on Sunday and then begin thinking about what more they can provide next season. We have high ambitions.”

As a defense coach, the team is 25th in total defense this season allowing 373.2 yards per game, as well as having the fourth worst (29th) ranked passing defense in the league allowing 269.9 yards per game. The team has failed to maintain a consistent pass rush this season, despite racking up 34 sacks (tied 18th-most in the league). The injury of Dante Fowler Jr. may have been a huge loss for potential production from the team, as well as a torn triceps for star defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks, after suffering a torn ACL from a season ago.

He is, however, salvaged by the bright, young offense that the team currently holds lead by second-year quarterback Blake Bortles, who has thrown for 4,189 passing yards (sixth most in the league), 35 passing touchdowns (second most in the league), but 16 interceptions (second most in the league). He also has a young nucleus of talent from running back T.J Yeldon, wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, the team’s first 1,000 yard receivers since team legend Jimmy Smith in 2005. The team’s youngest starter on offense is at an age of 27 in tight end Julius Thomas, and the team has lots of room to grow to become one of the premier offenses in the whole league.

2016 will be the do-or-die year for the head coaching career of Gus Bradley. The expectations should be no less than a playoff spot for the Jaguars in 2016, as it is highly possible with the flourishing young offense in Duval County. Should Gus Bradley continue to flounder in the leading role in Jacksonville, his contract would expire and have the team look for a new head coach for 2017.  

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About the author
Jon-Michael Bagay
A writer preferenced for the Jacksonville Jaguars and other NFL News and opinions.