By: Michael Spiers

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

There’s always a sense of optimism when NFL training camps open, but this year feels different in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars officially opened training camp Wednesday at the Miller Electric Center, and for the first time in a long time, they’re doing so with the weight of expectations instead of hope.

After winning 13 games, capturing the AFC South title, and reaching the playoffs in Liam Coen’s first season as head coach, this franchise is no longer viewed as an up-and-coming team.

The Jaguars have officially entered the conversation as one of the AFC’s contenders. That’s both exciting and challenging.

Training camp is about preparing for a new season, but it’s also about answering questions. Jacksonville has plenty of them.

The biggest concern entering camp is along the offensive line. Starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen begins camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he continues recovering from a knee injury.

While the Jaguars remain optimistic he’ll return before the regular season, his absence puts the spotlight on rookie Emmanuel Pregnon and the rest of the offensive line depth.

Protecting Trevor Lawrence has to remain priority number one if this team wants to build on last year’s success.

Another storyline worth watching is the return of Travis Hunter. The dynamic two-way star is fully healthy after an LCL injury limited him to just seven games during his rookie season.

Jacksonville plans to use Hunter primarily at cornerback, but don’t expect him to stay off the offensive side of the ball for long. His unique ability to impact games in multiple ways gives Coen another weapon to deploy, and if Hunter stays healthy, he could become one of the NFL’s most exciting players.

The running back position is another battle that could shape the season. With Travis Etienne Jr. no longer in Jacksonville, second-year back Bhayshul Tuten appears to have the inside track, but nothing has been decided.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. and LeQuint Allen Jr. will also have opportunities to earn significant playing time, making this one of the most competitive position battles in camp.

Offensively, I’m also intrigued by what Coen plans to do with the tight ends. Second-round draft pick Nate Boerkircher and fifth-round selection Tanner Koziol fit perfectly into Coen’s vision of using more two- and three-tight end formations.

If those heavy personnel packages develop the way the coaching staff hopes, Jacksonville could become one of the more physical offenses in the AFC while creating favorable matchups for Trevor Lawrence in the passing game.

There are other interesting storylines as well. Could veteran receiver Zay Jones find his way back to Jacksonville? Is rookie Emmanuel Pregnon ready for meaningful snaps if needed? How quickly will the secondary come together after adding veteran cornerback Corey Ballentine? Those questions will begin to be answered over the next several weeks.

I don’t believe the Jaguars are going to sneak up on anyone this year. Every opponent knows Jacksonville is a legitimate playoff team, and that makes repeating as division champions much more difficult.

That said, I believe this team is better than it was a year ago.

Trevor Lawrence has another season under Liam Coen’s offense. Brian Thomas Jr. has emerged as one of the league’s premier young receivers.

The defense continues to mature, and if Hunter stays healthy, he adds another playmaker capable of changing games.

The biggest question remains depth. Can the offensive line withstand injuries? Will the young running backs produce consistently? Can the defense avoid the injury bug that has derailed so many promising seasons?

If those answers are yes, I think Jacksonville has every opportunity to win the AFC South again.

My prediction is another division title with an 11-6 or 12-5 record. It may not match last year’s 13 victories, but the schedule is tougher, expectations are higher, and every team on the Jaguars’ schedule will have them circled.

One thing is certain: the days of simply hoping the Jaguars are competitive are over. This franchise has entered a new era where success is expected, and that’s exactly where Jaguars fans have wanted this team to be for years.