The 2002 Jacksonville Jaguars season marked the end of an era, serving as the final chapter of Tom Coughlin’s initial transformational tenure as head coach. Entering the year with heightened expectations amidst the NFL’s major divisional realignment, the Jaguars found themselves placed in the newly formed AFC South. To bolster the roster, the front office secured notable free agent offensive lineman Chris Naeole and defensive lineman Marco Coleman while navigating tight salary cap constraints. Despite these efforts, the team stumbled to a 6-10 record, finishing third in the division missing the postseason. It was a frustratingly close campaign defined by agonizingly narrow margins, which ultimately forced ownership to rebuild and part ways with Coughlin after eight pioneering seasons.

On offense, veteran quarterback Mark Brunell delivered a characteristically highly efficient yet statistically restrained campaign, throwing for 2,788 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions over 15 starts. When Brunell went down briefly, rookie draft pick David Garrard stepped in to earn his first career starts and flashes of dual-threat potential. The undisputed engine of the unit was star running back Fred Taylor, who put together a sensational comeback year by racking up 1,314 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while adding 408 receiving yards. Perennial top target Jimmy Smith remained a major threat, catching 80 passes for 1,027 yards and seven scores. Despite these stellar individual efforts from core skill players, the Jaguars offensive unit ranked just 21st in points scored (20.5 ppg) and 25th in total yards across the league.

The Jaguars defense told a completely different story, establishing itself as a highly resilient group that carried the team through long stretches of the year. Jacksonville ranked an impressive ninth in points allowed, giving up just 315 points (19.7 ppg) all season, even though they surrendered a more vulnerable 20th-ranking in total yards. The defensive front was anchored by defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and rookie defensive tackle John Henderson, a powerhouse duo that both secured 6.5 sacks apiece while completely disrupting opposing backfields. Free safety Marlon McCree emerged as a ballhawk in the secondary by snagging a team-high six interceptions, while strong safety Donovin Darius provided heavy-hitting run support. This formidable pass rush and physical secondary kept the team competitive in nearly every contest.

The season was defined by a brutal inability to close out tight games, resulting in an array of painful, single-possession heartbreaks. The year began with a narrow 28-25 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but a subsequent three-game winning streak highlighted by defensive domination over the New York Jets and a thrilling 28-25 win against the Philadelphia Eagles pushed the record to 3-1. A midseason collapse derailed that early momentum, featuring a crushing stretch where the Jaguars dropped four straight contests, including a frustrating 21-19 loss to the expansion Houston Texans. The team rebounded with wins against Washington and Houston but the return to form was short lived as a late-game 21-19 defeat against the Dallas Cowboys triggered a three game losing streak. Even a late-season blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals could not reverse the damage, as a week 16 defeat to the rival Tennessee Titans officially dashed any remaining playoff hopes.

Missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year sealed Coughlin’s fate, yet the legacy of this specific 2002 roster left an undeniable imprint on the franchise’s future identity. This transition year laid the foundational pillars for the next great Jaguars defensive era, heavily driven by the bruising interior combination of Stroud and Henderson. On the individual award front, Fred Taylor’s remarkable durability and elite production earned him fifth place in the AP Comeback Player of the Year voting. Meanwhile, special teams punter Chris Hanson provided a consistent bright spot, securing a Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors after booming 81 punts. Though the 6-10 record looked mediocre on paper, it initiated a vital passing of the torch in North Florida football history.