In a recent press conference, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson addressed the lawsuit filed against the team and former kicker Brandon McManus, now with the Commanders, expressing his disappointment in the situation. Pederson stated that he was unaware of the allegations until the news broke on Monday, emphasizing that it is a legal matter and refraining from further comment until more information is gathered.

The allegations center around claims made by two flight attendants who accused McManus of sexual assault during a flight from Jacksonville to London. When asked about the atmosphere on the flight, Pederson did not deny the characterization of a "party," but stressed that the team approaches such trips as business trips, adhering to organizational and league standards.

Pederson also mentioned that the team was unaware of the claims before releasing McManus, refusing to provide details about the seating arrangements on the plane. He suggested that he and other management personnel might not have been on the same level of the aircraft where the alleged misconduct occurred, considering that Atlas Air, the airline involved, has large planes, including 747s, in their fleet.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the flight attendants, has revealed that efforts were made to settle the claims out of court before the lawsuit was filed on Friday. It remains unclear if these settlement discussions solely involved McManus.

Pederson's remarks come amidst a sensitive legal situation that has garnered significant attention and raised questions about the team's knowledge of the allegations. As the lawsuit progresses, further investigation and information will be necessary to fully comprehend the events surrounding this case.