Is there anything earth-shattering to the franchise that is not happening in Jacksonville this morning? Adam Schefter has announced that the Jaguars informed its employees this morning that they’re being sold, and this comes after news that they’ve also extended their general manager Gene Smith’s contract three more season. Oh, yeah, did we mention they fired Jack Del Rio? This all comes as the team prepares for Monday Night Football. Now take a deep breath.
The entire span of events is typically what happens over several months of an off-season and it’s hard to know which to comment on first (or most). Certainly Smith’s extension is the happiest news of note, and it’s a clear signal that the team appreciates his ability to build through the draft, although his trade for Blaine Gabbert will likely what he is remembered for when it all comes down to it — for better or worse. Then again, he’s found gems in Tyson Alualu when no one else was interested and the Jags defense has always been good with savvy free agent pick-ups and drafting.
The Jags did fire head coach Jack Del Rio this morning as well and announced that Mel Tucker will be the interim coach. The Jags are 3-8 this season in a year where they decided to also axe David Garrard before the season opener and throw Luke McCown and Blaine Gabbert to the wolves with no wide receivers to speak of. Del Rio was in his ninth season in Jacksonville. Overall he has a 68-71 record.
Finally the team announced that they’re selling the team and it will be interesting to see the details on this one. The Jags, along with the Vikings and Chargers, have long been rumored to leave for Los Angeles as the league tries to establish a new team in the area. For now, there are no details but it certainly adds to the crazy morning the Jags and their fans have had.