If you’re ever going to be optimistic as an NFL owner, the day to be optimistic is the day you hire a new coach.
The inherent implication when you make a change is that things can only get better, but Jaguars owner Shad Khan said during Gus Bradley’s introductory press conference it might take some time.
“Patience is one thing, but we have to be honest about ourselves and where we are,” Khan said, via the Associated Press. I think it’s very, very important not to be — the word is delusional.”
Khan said during the press conference that he overestimated the talent level of his roster when he bought the team a year ago, and misjudged how close they might be to improvement.
But from the holdout of Maurice Jones-Drew to the lack of development of quarterback Blaine Gabbert, things never quite came together the way he thought they might, which led to 2-14, which led to the house-cleaning which saw GM Gene Smith and coach Mike Mularkey replaced by David Caldwell and Bradley.
And since he’s not going to even offer his fanbase the hometown distraction of Tim Tebow (Caldwell shot that down immediately after being hired), better to brace them for what could be a slow build.