Urban Meyer Suffers Major Setback After Arbitration Ruling Saves NFL Franchise Millions

Urban Meyer’s short and messy run with the Jacksonville Jaguars has taken another costly turn. Meyer challenged Jacksonville’s decision to fire him “with cause” just 13 games into his five-year contract in 2021, but he has now reportedly lost that arbitration case.

The ruling is a major win for the Jaguars, who are expected to save more than $30 million as a result, according to Brett McMurphy of On3. For Meyer, it is another setback tied to one of the most disastrous coaching stints in recent NFL memory.

Jaguars Dodge a Hefty Settlement Bill

Meyer’s failed Jaguars stint has taken another hit, this time away from the field. He tried to recover the money left on his contract after Jacksonville fired him during the 2021 season, but that effort reportedly did not work. An arbitration ruling sided with the Jaguars, meaning the team will not have to pay out more than $30 million that Meyer was seeking.

The decision brings back just how messy his brief NFL run became. Meyer arrived with an outstanding college résumé, but his time in Jacksonville unraveled almost immediately. Between team discipline issues, fines tied to offseason rules, the Cincinnati trip controversy, and the allegation involving former kicker Josh Lambo, the Jaguars had plenty to point to when arguing that the firing was justified.

Urban Meyer on the sidelines prior to the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff between the Oregon Ducks and the Indiana Hoosiers. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Meyer denied the Lambo allegation, but the matter still became part of the wider picture around his conduct during those months. The Jaguars did not need one single incident to define the case. They needed to show a pattern that supported firing him for cause, and the ruling suggests they were able to do that.

For Jacksonville, this is a massive financial win and another step away from a disastrous chapter. For Meyer, it is a costly reminder that his jump to the NFL ended about as badly as it could have.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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