"That's a shot at Trevor Lawrence" - NFL fans mock Shad Khan as Jaguars owner's shade at Aaron Rodgers backfires

Following a disappointing 2024 season, in which they finished with a 4-13 record, the Jacksonville Jaguars unsurprisingly fired head coach Doug Pederson. Rumors of a divorce between the franchise and the veteran coach had been swirling since their 6-52 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 11.

Many believed the team would relieve him of his duties after that loss. However, owner Shad Khan resisted moving on from Pederson until the end of the season. The team will now begin their hunt for a new head coach, but unlike most franchises, they don't plan on consulting Trevor Lawrence before deciding who will lead the roster in 2025.

During a press conference on Monday, Khan downplayed the idea of asking the quarterback for his input and took an unnecessary jab at Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.

"Let's be clear -- this isn't a second coming of Aaron Rodgers 2.0," Shad Khan said.

It may have sounded witty in Khan's head but fans on social media did not perceive it as he intended. They claimed that it sounded like he was he was insulting Lawrence:

Some fans argued that Shad Khan had no right to take a shot at the Jets as the Jaguars are in the same boat as them:

"This coming from an owner in Shad Khan who is about to hire his 6th head coach in 13 years. At this point, he'd be better off listening to anyone but himself." - Said @ByMikeMitchell

"Plenty of owners and teams can take a shot at the Jets and Woody Johnson. Almost all of them. Shad Khan and the Jaguars are not one of them." - Claimed @New12Robert

"Glad their long history of success in Jacksonville has allowed them to make fun of other teams." - Quipped @connortandy2

Jaguars head coach candidates: Shad Khan yet to reveal plan

It was no secret that Doug Pederson wouldn't return as the Jaguars's coach in 2025. He was already on the hot seat after Jacksonville lost five of their last six games of the 2023 season and finished the year 9-8 after starting 8-3. Their 2-9 start in the 2024 campaign sealed his fate.

However, despite not planning to bring Pederson back in 2025, Shad Khan and the Jaguars have no succession plan in place. They haven't requested any interviews, and the top candidates, former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, already have multiple interviews lined up.

Jacksonville's lackadaisical start to the offseason should concern its fans.