DOUG PEDERSON

To the Super Bowl winner goes the spoils of opening the entire schedule at home.

The Jacksonville Jaguars chose Georgia pass rusher Travon Walker with the top pick in the NFL draft.

Jacksonville is the fourth franchise in the modern NFL era with the top draft pick in consecutive years.

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke turned toward coach Doug Pederson, smiled widely and said, “I’m pretty confident this will be the last time that I’ll be making the first pick.” No team or general manager in the NFL’s modern era (since 1970) has drafted No. 1 in three straight years. Tampa Bay would have done it as a fledgling expansion franchise in 1976-78, but the Buccaneers traded the top pick in 1978 to Houston.

Frank Reich is heading to Los Angeles this week for an important mission.

Doug Pederson won’t have the power Urban Meyer had with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring Doug Pederson as their head coach.

Jacksonville’s meandering coaching search has a new twist.

Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes made the NFL’s first 17-game regular season feel a little more normal despite it being played through a pandemic again.

Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)Eric Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become NFL head coaches. “I did not ask be the poster boy of this particular situation that I have experienced,” Bieniemy said Tuesday. “I don’t understand everything, I am not an owner, I don’t sit in those meetings to interview head coaches,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. Bieniemy isn’t alone when it comes to minority coordinators in the Super Bowl who didn’t get a head coaching offer this offseason.

(AP Photo)(AP) – The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams who develop them. The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the league’s third Black head coach hired. Culley and Saleh join Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Miami’s Brian Flores and Washington’s Ron Rivera as the league’s only minority head coaches. “We didn’t make as much progress on the head coaching side as we would have liked,” Rooney said. AdPerhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches.

– Tyreek Hill was thrilled to hear that his first wide receivers coach, David Culley, was going to be an NFL head coach. After interviewing for six openings, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy ultimately was passed over during the annual coaching carousel. That became official when the Houston Texans hired Culley, the long-time Andy Reid assistant who had been the assistant head coach in Baltimore. “I mean, I'm not a GM or anything but I will say, Coach Bieniemy has helped me a lot,” Hill said Thursday, after the Chiefs finished their first real practice for the Super Bowl. He wants to be a head coach.

FILE- In this Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's facility in Indianapolis. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Nick Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)PHILADELPHIA – Three days after choosing Nick Sirianni to be their new coach, the Philadelphia Eagles made it official. He worked under coach Frank Reich, who was offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when the Eagles won the Super Bowl three years ago. The Colts finished in the top 10 in points and yards in two of Sirianni’s three seasons as offensive coordinator.

FILE- In this Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's facility in Indianapolis. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Nick Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts the past three seasons. The Colts finished top 10 in points and yards in two of Sirianni's three seasons as offensive coordinator.

“My coaches were on board, they all did a great job with the spot, with the calls, everything — they were spot-on. It was a great job.”That play is part of a pick-6 of great jobs — and great flops — with gutsy calls. PHILLY SPECIALThe Eagles led New England by three points approaching halftime in the Super Bowl for the 2017 season. Philadelphia went on to win its first Super Bowl. The Packers then won their second Super Bowl.

(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles won’t be penalized after the NFL looked into the way the team handled its quarterback decisions in the final regular-season game against Washington, two people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to reveal the conversations. The Eagles trailed by a field goal when Sudfeld, who hadn’t thrown a pass in a game since 2018, entered. Giants players and their fans were angry that Pederson benched Hurts, feeling the Eagles tanked. Eagles running back Miles Sanders, who was one of several starters inactive for the game, also was critical of Pederson’s decision to bench Hurts.

PHILADELPHIA – Doug Pederson lost his job less than three years after he led the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. Lurie said he wouldn’t be surprised if another team hired Pederson before the end of the week. There is no better example of that than when we celebrated the first Super Bowl championship in Eagles history together with our city. Pederson led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory over New England in just his second season with backup quarterback Nick Foles filling in after Wentz was injured. Pederson and Foles again led the Eagles to a playoff win the following year after Wentz went down late in the season.

Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith is the biggest reason Washington became the first team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-7 and make the playoffs. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)If the Alex Smith story becomes a movie, Alex Smith doesn't want to see it. “When Alex Smith plays quarterback, they’re a heck of a football team,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. "They’re an extremely well-coached team, a ton of talent on that defensive front, but Alex Smith is really the key to everything.”How is that possible?

Washington Football Team's Logan Thomas (82) catches a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' T.J. Edwards (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and Washington beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 Sunday night to capture the lowly NFC East. Washington opened the season with a 27-17 victory over the Eagles. Dwayne Haskins started that game for Washington and Carson Wentz for Philadelphia. Eagles: They face difficult decisions in the offseason, including figuring out which quarterback they plan to build around for 2021.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) celebrate a touchdown catch by Lamb in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)ARLINGTON, Texas – Andy Dalton threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns, two to Michael Gallup, and the Dallas Cowboys stayed alive in the playoff race with a 37-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Dallas can overtake Washington (6-9) with a win at the New York Giants and a Washington loss to the Eagles on the final weekend of the regular season. The Giants (5-10) can get in by beating the Cowboys if Washington loses. UP NEXTPhiladelphia has Dallas' fate in its hands at home against Washington in the regular-season finale.

“I don’t want out of Philly,” Pederson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Despite a dismal 4-9-1 record and a quarterback controversy, the Eagles are still in the race for the NFC East title. It’s all about getting into the tournament.”Injuries have forced Pederson to shuffle his offensive line unit, using 13 different combinations in 14 games. Under Pederson, the Eagles are 11-2 in games they must win or be eliminated from the playoffs or contention. Whomever ends up taking the snaps in 2021, Pederson will be ready to coach them.

Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)PHILADELPHIA – Jalen Hurts will start at quarterback again for the Philadelphia Eagles when they play at Arizona next Sunday. Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Hurts, who replaced Carson Wentz and led Philadelphia (4-8-1) to an upset over New Orleans the previous day, will go against the Cardinals. “I was thinking of a lot of things, quite honestly,” Pederson said of his decision to stick with Hurts. “I was thinking about Carson, but I was thinking about the rest of the team and how the rest of the team played in the game.

PHILADELPHIA – Jalen Hurts will start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, sending Carson Wentz to the bench. Eagles coach Doug Pederson made the announcement Tuesday on the team’s website. Wentz was 11-2 before a knee injury forced him to watch Nick Foles lead the Eagles through the playoffs and victory over New England. But Wentz has a career-low 72.8 passer rating this season and 19 turnovers, including 15 interceptions. I think it’s a great opportunity for him, a great opportunity for the team,” Pederson said.

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)In this strangest of NFL seasons in this weirdest of years, here's a matchup of division leaders you wouldn't expect: Seattle hosting the New York Giants. “If you win your division, you win your division,” Carroll says, and he knows: Seattle went 7-9 in 2010 and won the NFC West, then beat New Orleans in a playoff game. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for at least 300 yards seven times this season and has 22 straight games with at least one TD passing. New England has won the past five meetings, including a 2018 divisional playoff game. Chargers WR Keenan Allen leads the NFL with 85 receptions and has a TD catch in five straight games.

Daniel Jones threw for 244 yards and ran for a touchdown, Wayne Gallman Jr. had two TD runs and the Giants beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17 on Sunday. Boston Scott had a 56-yard TD run early in the third quarter but the Eagles couldn’t get closer. Jones ran untouched 34 yards for a score to cap a well-executed 85-yard drive to start the game and the Giants led the entire game. Miles Sanders ran in for the 2-point conversion to cut the deficit to 14-11. After Jones had a 14-yard TD run negated by Andrew Thomas’ holding penalty, Graham Gano kicked a 35-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-17.

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 36-10 to become the NFL’s first team to get to 9-0 since the 2015 Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals beat Buffalo 32-30 on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to DeAndre Hopkins with 2 seconds left, dropping the Bills record to 7-3. Brees was shaken up on a sack in the second quarter when Kentavius Street landed on him. 1 pick Joe Burrow, threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jakeem Grant with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. Cole had scored on a franchise-record 91-yard punt return in the second quarter.

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)PHILADELPHIA – Carson Wentz threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Boston Scott with 40 seconds remaining and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame an 11-point deficit in the final seven minutes to beat the New York Giants 22-21 on Thursday night. Wentz threw a perfect strike to Scott and the backup running back made an excellent catch to give Philadelphia the lead. The Eagles (2-4-1) and Giants (1-6) are right in the mix in the NFC East, led by Dallas (2-4). Wentz threw for 359 yards and two TDs and ran for a score. After Wentz ran to the 3, Eagles coach Doug Pederson went for it on fourth down.

Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens' Jihad Ward (53) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA – It’s Week 7, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants each have one win and both teams are right in the mix for first place. The victory total will increase after the Eagles (1-4-1) and Giants (1-5) meet Thursday night, unless they tie. The Giants are coming off their first win under coach Joe Judge. But Elliott has hit all of his field goals under 50 yards this season and 89.9% in his career.

(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA – Lamar Jackson threw for a touchdown and ran for a score and the Baltimore Ravens held on for a 30-28 victory over the depleted Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Still, the Ravens (5-1) needed to prevent a 2-point conversion with 1:55 remaining to secure the win. The Eagles cut it to 30-22 when Wentz avoided pressure and heaved an 18-yard TD pass to Travis Fulgham into triple coverage on fourth-and-9. Wentz scored a few plays later, but couldn’t get in the end zone to tie it on the conversion. Wentz ran for 5 yards on first down on the fourth drive, tried to knock over defenders and got stripped at the Eagles 28.

Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson, right, catches a pass against Los Angeles Rams' Troy Hill during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)PHILADELPHIA – Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes to Tyler Higbee and the Los Angeles Rams beat the Philadelphia Eagles 37-19 on Sunday. Goff completed his first 13 passes, including a pair of TDs to Higbee, and the Rams jumped to a 21-3 lead minutes into the second quarter. After the Eagles (0-2) pulled within one score, Goff’s 28-yard TD pass to Higbee in the fourth iced it for Los Angeles (2-0). The Rams took a 7-0 lead on Goff’s 4-yard TD pass to Higbee after Miles Sanders’ fumble on the third play gave them the ball at the Eagles 41.

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold warms up during a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. Instead of taking the field, the entire team spent more than four hours talking about racial injustice and social issues. They continued their discussions Friday, an off day, to begin devising plans to effect change among each other and in the community. Tomlin, one of three Black NFL head coaches, is the third-longest tenured coach in the league. We have to continue playing because, quite frankly, this is the reason we have a platform, is because we play football and we are in the NFL, Darnold said.

Guys are sick and tired of being sick and tired, McDougald said Wednesday during a video conference call. Within the confines of the team's facility, McDougald is a respected pro football player whose main concern is stopping the offense. Guys are sick and tired of being sick and tired, McDougald said Wednesday during a video conference call. Or, the countless other Black men and women who have been victims of police brutality or social injustice. And Im going to deal with it for the rest of my life, and my kids are going to deal with it."

PHILADELPHIA Eagles coach Doug Pederson says he feels great and has no symptoms after testing positive for the coronavirus. Im very fortunate.The 52-year-old Pederson enters his fifth season as Philadelphias head coach. I think one of the things Ive learned this offseason is, I can still run the team virtually, Pederson said. The list is for players who either test positive or have been exposed to someone who has. Pederson is the second NFL head coach known to test positive.