The Jacksonville Jaguars have been on an upward trajectory since head coach Doug Pederson came to town, reaching the postseason for the first time since 2017 last season. Heading into his second season as head coach, he has opted to bring in a player that he is more familiar with than anyone in the league, his son, Josh Peterson.
Josh Peterson has had numerous stops in the NFL, but has failed to stick on with any team, previously spending time with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Kansas City Chiefs during the 2021 season.
He most recently played for Houston Gamblers of the USFL in 2023, playing all ten games at tight end for the team. He recorded 25 catches for 325 yards, ranking third in receiving yards among tight ends in the USFL.
The Jaguars made the signing official on their team website, revealing that they would be waiving fellow tight end Leonard Taylor in a corresponding move.
Many around the NFL world were extremely happy for Josh Pederson, sharing their excitement for him on social media.
2021: Jaguars coach Urban Meyer signs son, TE Tim Tebow.
2023: Jaguars coach Doug Pederson signs son, TE Josh Pederson. https://t.co/tHpNIu5uYN
— Zachary Krueger (@ZK_FFB) July 10, 2023
So #Jaguars sign former USFL TE Josh Pederson today and in release to media, make no mention of the fact he's the son of head coach Doug Pederson. No big deal. Kind of amusing.
— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) July 10, 2023
It's not just that former @USFLStallions K Brandon Aubrey signed with the Dallas Cowboys or that former @USFLGamblers TE Josh Pederson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It's that both @USFL products signed with 2022 NFL playoff teams.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) July 10, 2023
Finishing up the Ventrell Miller film breakdown. Then onto……. Josh Pederson
— Jaguars United (@Jaguars_United) July 10, 2023
#Jaguars announce the signing of TE Josh Pederson.
To make room on the roster, they waived/injured UDFA TE Leonard Taylor. If Taylor clears waivers, he will revert to the Jaguars injured reserve list.
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) July 10, 2023
Some could see this as an obvious move considering Josh Pederson’s ties to his dad. However, Josh Pederson discussed the move on Monday, and made it clear that he doesn’t want a handout and wants to earn his role on the team.
“I’m hoping to fly under the radar, but we’ll see how it goes,” Josh Pederson told KNOE8 Sports Director Aaron Dietrich on playing under his father. I asked my Dad if I could change the D in our last name to a T just to throw people off. But I am excited. I don’t want it to be seen as a handout.”
"I got to break the news to my mom and my brother. That was pretty cool. She flipped out." @J2_P2 Josh Pederson is back in the @NFL joining his Dad with the @Jaguars. Great stuff from the former @ULM_FB star. @KNOE8 We will have more tomorrow @MorningDrive318 @JakeMartinOC pic.twitter.com/lkBe5Ay228
— Aaron Dietrich (@AaronsAces) July 10, 2023
It should certainly be interesting to see if Josh Pederson can stick on the Jaguars after his productive year in the USFL landed him another shot in the NFL.
[Jacksonville Jaguars team website]
