Getty Image / Rich Storry
The Jacksonville Jaguars are heavy favorites against the Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football but the intrigue has just been upped after it was announced Josh Pederson would make his NFL debut, a debut he’s earned through the practice squad.
Josh Pederson, a former undrafted tight end from Louisiana-Monroe, just so happens to be the son of Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson who has played a crucial role in the Jags’ recent success. With just hours to go before MNF, NFL insider Ian Rapoport announced the Jags were elevating Josh Pederson from the practice squad and the head coach’s son was set to make his NFL debut.
The #Jaguars are elevating practice squad TE Josh Pederson, son of coach Doug Pederson, and he'll make his NFL debut tonight.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2023
Everyone Has Josh Pederson ‘Nepo Baby’ Jokes
Josh Pederson earned this spot on the Jags roster. Make no mistakes about it. But ‘nepo baby’ jokes are easy, and let’s be honest, kind of funny in this instance because his dad is the head coach! It’s not like he’s the son of a retired coach, he’s literally going to be playing for his dad on Monday Night Football.
The ‘nepotism’ and ‘nepo baby’ jokes exploded in Ian Rapoport’s mentions. There are honestly too many to share and it wouldn’t be worth it if I did. They range from countless people replying ‘nepo baby’ to others boldly claiming (or joking) that nepotism is going to tear the franchise apart.
One person hilariously and possibly ingeniously posited that this might be the perfect ‘first TD scored’ prop bet. I’m not taking that action, I doubt Vegas will even release odds on that for a few hours, but it sure would be incredible if that happened.
The Jags are currently sitting in 1st in the AFC South and have an opportunity to widen their lead over the Colts and Texas who are hot on their heels. And Jacksonville are 10.5pt favorites tonight so they should be looking at an easy ‘dub’ over the Bengals but that’s why we play the games, because anything can happen, something that the College Football Playoffs committee seems to have forgotten on Sunday.