Jaguars ‘have to consider culture’ at trade deadline, says Doug Pederson

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a good thing going in their locker room after a 5-2 start. With the NFL’s Oct. 31 trade deadline just a few days away, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson says the team will be mindful they aren’t doing anything that creates issues with those positive vibes.

“You have to consider the culture of the team,” Pederson said Friday. “Anytime you get to that midseason point and you bring someone new who you think is going to help you offensively, defensively, whatever it is, I think about the players in the locker room. How is that going to affect them, and how is it going to affect a particular [position] room?

“Those are all things we take a look at and factor in. If you are going to make a move, this player is coming in to help you in an area of possible need or something like that. Our culture is strong here, so I think we could absorb something like that if it happens. I’m mindful of it as we get closer to the deadline.”

With the Jaguars very much in position to make a postseason run, the team has frequently popped up in conversations as a possible buyer at the deadline. The list of potentially available pass rushers has been most under the microscope with Jacksonville struggling to increase its sack total so far this season.

According to a few reports, the Jaguars made an offseason push to land the Minnesota Vikings’ Danielle Hunter, who currently leads the NFL in sacks, in a trade.

Through seven weeks, Jacksonville has 13 sacks. Only four teams have fewer, although that includes the Houston Texans (9) who have played one less game.