Urban Meyer Loses Jags Grievance, Saving $30M

Sport

By lines

May 18, 2026

Urban Meyer Jaguars arbitration ended Monday with a ruling for Jacksonville. An independent arbitrator found the Jaguars had cause to fire Urban Meyer in December 2021. The ruling saves the Jacksonville Jaguars more than $30 million in unpaid salary. Meyer had gone 2-11 over 13 games before Jacksonville terminated the contract.

Why the Jaguars Had Cause to Fire Meyer

Meyer signed a four-year, $36 million contract with Jacksonville in January 2021. The Jaguars fired Urban Meyer midseason after a 2-11 start. The firing cited cause, and Jacksonville refused to pay the remaining contract value. Urban Meyer then filed a grievance to recover those unpaid funds.

Three incidents formed the core of the Jaguars’ for-cause case. The NFL fined Urban Meyer $300,000 for violating offseason workout policies. Meyer skipped the team flight home from Cincinnati after a loss to the Bengals. A viral video showed Urban Meyer at a bar with a woman who was not Meyer’s wife. Former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo also alleged physical abuse by Meyer during camp.

Arbitration witnesses included former Jaguars GM Trent Baalke, punter Logan Cooke, and long snapper Ross Matiscik. The independent arbitrator sided with Jacksonville on each count. Urban Meyer retains the right to challenge the ruling in court. The decision formally closes the legal chapter on Meyer’s 13-game NFL coaching tenure.