Jacksonville Jaguars: 12 Questions to Be Answered During the Offseason

The season is finally over for the 5-11 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Now, the hard stuff begins.

With Shahid Khan officially taking over the team today, a new era in the Jaguars organization begins with new ownership, a new vibe and, in time, a new head coach. There will be sweeping changes with this organization. Khan, a Midwest auto parts tycoon, bought the team from original owner Wayne Weaver with the hope of bring a championship to Jacksonville.

Before he gets ahead of himself, Khan and the organization needs to improve upon a few things. Offense, defense, special teams. Oh, and then there is the coaching staff, the preparation for the upcoming NFL draft and of course free agency.

It looks like Mr. Khan will have a busy few months before OTAs and then practices and then wouldn't you know it? The preseason begins again.

The NFL is now a 12-month sport where teams are constantly moving to secure success.

12. Are Tony Dungy and Bill Cowher Really off the Table?

I hope not. But realistically, these two high profile names won't be in Jacksonville.

Dungy's name is not even mentioned anywhere, and Cowher was a name that came up in San Diego and Miami and here earlier in the year.

But with an average passing game, not many high profile coaches will want to come here.

Having Cowher here changes everything, but it also means this team will be completely revamped.

11. How Realistic Is Trading Maurice Jones-Drew?

It is only brought up because he would bring a king's ransom, and he is the only offensive weapon on this team.

MJD deserves a better fate. He will be part of a rebuilding process, where receivers will come in, new coaches, new schemes, etc.

Is that fair to the best runner in the NFL?

10. Who Are the Big Name Receivers the Team May Target in Free Agency?

Just like last season when the team opened the vault for the defense, the Jaguars need to open the bank for receivers in this year's free agent market.

Vincent Jackson, DeSean Jackson, Stevie Johnson and Marques Colston will all be on the radar. Jackson may be tempted. Johnson would be a good fit.

I also like Earl Bennett and Harry Douglas as well.

The question is whether these guys want to come to a team with a quarterback who will be learning his second offense in as many years.

9. Will Gene Smith Remain on as General Manager of This Team?

Before Wayne Weaver agreed to sell the team to Shahid Khan, he signed Smith to a three-year contract extension.

Smith's career is linked to Blaine Gabbert. He will probably get one more year to see if the quarterback develops into the passer the team wants him to be.

That said, if Gabbert falters, it probably would mean the end of Smith's tenure here in Jacksonville.

8. What Do We Need to Do to Keep Our Defensive Intensity?

First, we need to have all our players heal.

Then we need to sign Matt Roth and Dwight Lowery to contract extensions.

We need to make sure we lock up Jeremy Mincey and find a good pass-rusher in the draft as well.

7. How Much Influence Will Wayne Weaver Have in Selecting the New Coach?

That is a tricky question.

This should be Khan's call, but don't be surprised if Weaver is involved in this.

Khan wants a winner now. He wants a championship in this city.

He wants to bring prominence back to the organization.

6. Do You Think Shahid Khan Will Move This Team?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I hope not.

He has said all the right things, but let's be honest. He is a businessman, and if it is beneficial to make money in another market, it could happen.

5. Is There a Darkhorse Candidate to Coach This Team That Hasn't Been Mentioned?

I am going to throw this one out there, but how about Les Miles?

The LSU head coach is consistently winning on the college level and could be successful on the pro level.

Shahid Khan said he wants an offensive-minded coach. Does Miles fit this profile?

It would be interesting to see if Khan would go to the college ranks like Wayne Weaver did in 1995 with Tom Coughlin.

4. Will the Team Retain Rashean Mathis?

I don't think so.

Mathis was having a good season when he went down with an injury against Indianapolis.

He is in the final year of his contract, and the team had not begun negotiating with him on an extension.

Mathis is a home-grown talent, and it is a shame to see him go.

3. What Is the Most Pressing Issue Heading to the Draft?

Receiver, receiver, receiver.

I cannot say it enough. The receivers need to be upgraded, but at the seventh pick in the draft, it will be tough.

You cannot reach here for a pick and the Jaguars may be better trading down with a team that wants someone like Morris Claiborne or Dre Kirkpatrick.

2. Why Does It Seem That Everyone Is Set with Mike Mularkey as Coach?

It does seem that way, doesn't it?

Mularkey was a candidate before here, and his son is part of the Jaguars scouting team. But that should not be the reason we hire him as coach. Mularkey has been instrumental in the development of Matt Ryan.

The Jaguars want Gabbert to be a top-tier passer. Mularkey can help with that, but so can other candidates.

1. What Happens to Mel Tucker?

It may not be the biggest question on everyone's mind, but he did help architect the sixth best defense in the NFL this year.

And he did a decent job as the head coach when Jack Del Rio was fired.

I personally would love to see what he could do with a healthy team and a full season of work. But I also know he won't be given that opportunity of a big name coach is available.

Hopefully, the team will keep him as defensive coordinator or he will get a shot with another team.