Jacksonville Jaguars
What’s Next For Jaguars?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars ended their 2025 season with heartbreak, but also with something that felt unfamiliar after years of turbulence: real optimism.
A 27–24 Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills closed the book on a 13–5 campaign that saw Jacksonville win the AFC South and return to the postseason.
For a franchise that finished 4–13 just a year earlier, the turnaround under head coach Liam Coen was nothing short of dramatic.
The Jaguars went from organizational reset to division champion in one offseason, and the foundation now looks sturdier than it has in years.
Jacksonville’s renaissance began with sweeping changes at the top.
After the disappointing 2024 season, the Jaguars parted ways with head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, ushering in a new era led by Coen and general manager James Gladstone.
Rather than chase splashy free-agent headlines, the new leadership group focused on targeted additions, internal development, and building a roster that fit Coen’s vision on both sides of the ball.
The results were immediate. Jacksonville opened the season with statement wins over Carolina, Houston, and San Francisco, establishing itself as a legitimate contender early.
Trevor Lawrence delivered the best year of his career, posting his highest QBR while operating in an offense that finally maximized his strengths. Injuries and off-field distractions, including ongoing “stadium of the future” planning, could not derail the Jaguars’ momentum.
By season’s end, Jacksonville had claimed the division and a playoff berth, signaling that the rebuild had arrived ahead of schedule.
The playoff loss to Buffalo stung, but it did little to dampen the sense that Jacksonville is trending in the right direction.
While the Jaguars face tough free-agency decisions, they appear to be on the right track on both sides of the ball, as well as off the field.
In a division where Houston, Indianapolis, and Tennessee each face their own questions, Jacksonville’s trajectory stands out.
Still, Year 2 of the Coen era may prove even more challenging than Year 1.
The Jaguars enter the offseason roughly $21 million over the salary cap, limiting their ability to shop for premium talent.
Several key contributors face uncertain futures, including linebacker Devin Lloyd, cornerback Montaric Brown, and running back Travis Etienne.
Lloyd, coming off a breakout season, is poised to command top-market money, while Etienne and Brown will test Jacksonville’s ability to balance financial realities with roster continuity.
Defensive tackle, cornerback depth, and pass rush remain priorities, meaning the draft will likely play a central role in shaping the 2026 roster.
One of the most encouraging developments of the offseason so far is stability on the coaching staff.
Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, one of the youngest and most highly regarded play callers in the league, drew head coaching interest from Buffalo and Cleveland.
Ultimately, the Bills hired Joe Brady, allowing Jacksonville to retain Udinski with a pay raise and continued influence over Lawrence’s development.
Udinski’s reputation as a rising offensive mind, often compared to Sean McVay’s early career path, underscores the growing respect Jacksonville has earned across the NFL.
Head coach Liam Coen has long praised Udinski as an elite communicator and a coach with no ego, a rare combination that has helped shape Jacksonville’s offensive identity.
Keeping that continuity could be as important as any player signing, especially as the Jaguars prepare for Travis Hunter’s expected two-way role in 2026.
For Jacksonville, the mission now is clear. The Jaguars must transition from surprise contender to sustained contender.
That means navigating a tight salary cap, making difficult roster decisions, and continuing to build through the draft while maintaining the culture Coen and Gladstone have established.
The 2025 season ended short of a Super Bowl run, but it reintroduced Jacksonville to the NFL’s upper tier.
The Jaguars are no longer a rebuilding afterthought. They are a team with a quarterback in his prime, a coaching staff in demand, and a front office that appears to have a long-term plan.
The hard part now is staying there.
Not Done Yet
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars are back in the playoffs, but this time it feels different.
This is not a young team simply happy to be here or wide-eyed by the moment. This is a group that has been tested, hardened, and sharpened by pressure long before the postseason officially arrived.
For the past two months, the Jaguars have essentially been playing playoff football.
Eight consecutive victories were required to claim the AFC South, and the Jaguars delivered every single time. With Houston breathing down their necks and winning nine straight games of their own, Jacksonville had no margin for error.
That stretch matters. It changes how a team views the stakes. It builds habits that carry into January. The messaging inside the building reflects that mindset.
The division title was celebrated, but not lingered on. The shirts may have read ‘Been There, Won That’, but the words players keep repeating are ‘Not Done Yet’.
That has not just been talk for the cameras. It shows up in how they prepare and how they play.
Trevor Lawrence is the clearest example. He enters the postseason playing some of the best football of his career, having thrown for 38 total touchdowns while leading an offense that has averaged nearly 33 points per game over the last ten weeks.
More importantly, he looks comfortable controlling games. He’s not chasing highlights. He is making correct decisions and punishing defenses when they overcommit.
The defense has quietly become just as important to Jacksonville’s identity.
Over the last six games, the Jaguars are allowing barely more than two touchdowns per game while generating turnovers at a playoff level.
Foye Oluokun is everywhere. Josh Hines-Allen continues to disrupt quarterbacks. Antonio Johnson has turned mistakes into points. That balance is what separates dangerous teams from real contenders.
The wild card matchup with Buffalo will be a legitimate test. The Bills are experienced, battle tested and led by the reigning league MVP in Josh Allen. They run the ball as well as any team in the NFL and have spent years navigating January football.
But this version of Jacksonville is not intimidated by résumés. The Jaguars will go into the contest on Sunday boasting the league’s number one run defense, and as the team ranked second in the NFL in defensive takeaways.
The Jags have beaten elite teams during this run, including the AFC’s number one seeded Denver Broncos. Just three weeks ago the Jags traveled to the Mile High City and ended the Broncos 11-game win streak with a convincing 31-20 victory.
The Jags will take on the Bills this Sunday at home, where franchise history shows they thrive in postseason environments. EverBank Stadium matters.
Jacksonville is four and one all-time in home playoff games, and anyone who remembers the Chargers comeback in 2022 knows how quickly that building can tilt a contest.
For an opposing offense, that noise is not just uncomfortable. It is disruptive.
So, can the Jaguars make the Super Bowl? I think the answer is yes, but with context.
The numbers say the odds sit around seven percent. That may not sound overwhelming, but it places Jacksonville squarely in the league’s list of contenders, ahead of teams with bigger markets and louder narratives.
It also reflects how difficult the path is in the AFC, where every round feels like a heavyweight bout.
What gives Jacksonville a real chance is not odds or simulations. It is timing.
They are healthy. They are confident. They are playing their best football at exactly the right moment. They are also mentally prepared for the grind, having already lived in must win mode for weeks.
This is not a team hoping for magic. It is a team expecting results. That expectation changes everything.
I think the Jaguars will defeat Buffalo, and once that happens, belief will shift quickly from possibility to probability.
The reward for winning on Wild Card Weekend? Another trip to the Mile-High City to take on those same Denver Broncos.
One win leads to another, and in January momentum often matters as much as matchups. Jacksonville has both.
They are hungry. They are grounded. And they aren’t done yet.
Super Bowl Bound?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Do the Jacksonville Jaguars have a legitimate shot to make the Super Bowl?
This question would have sounded absurd not long ago but it feels increasingly reasonable with each passing week.
The Jaguars are no longer sneaking up on anyone. They just won their sixth straight game and did something the franchise had never done before by beating a 12-win team this late in the season.
They snapped Denver’s 11 game winning streak at Mile High Stadium and did it convincingly.
That alone forces the league to take notice even if Jacksonville insists it does not care who is paying attention.
Head coach Liam Coen has embraced the idea of being overlooked. He has turned perceived disrespect into fuel and history shows that approach can carry a team a long way.
The 2017 Eagles built an entire championship run on an “us against the world” mentality and Jacksonville is clearly tapping into something similar.
The quotes coming out of that locker room are not polished or cautious. They are raw, confident and unified. That matters in January.
More importantly, the Jaguars are playing their best football at exactly the right time. They have won seven of their last eight games, and the six-game winning streak is the longest the franchise has seen since the turn of the millennium.
This is also the first 11-win season since 2007, and with games remaining against the Colts and Titans there is a real chance Jacksonville finishes 13-4. That kind of record demands respect regardless of market size or preseason expectations.
See what I did there, Sean Payton?
The biggest reason for belief is Trevor Lawrence. He is on a four-game heater that rivals any quarterback in the league right now. Twelve touchdowns no interceptions over that stretch, plus production with his legs tells a powerful story.
He just dismantled a Denver defense that was supposed to be among the toughest in football. Lawrence looks confident, decisive and aggressive, which was not always the case earlier in the season.
There is still reason for caution, of course. This is still a relatively small sample size.
Before this run, Lawrence endured a rough stretch that included multiple interceptions and uneven accuracy. His completion percentage for the season is not elite and that cannot be ignored.
The fair question is which version of Lawrence shows up in the playoffs.
But here is the counterargument.
Teams are judged by who they are becoming, not who they were in October. Right now, Lawrence is seeing the field well and the offense is in sync.
The trade for Jakobi Meyers has quietly changed everything. Since his arrival the Jaguars are 6 and 1 and have scored at least 25 points in every game.
Meyers may not post gaudy numbers but he stabilizes the passing game and gives Lawrence a reliable option when it matters.
Zooming out to the entire AFC picture makes Jacksonville’s case even stronger. Ask yourself which teams truly inspire fear.
New England, Denver, Buffalo, the Chargers, Houston and Pittsburgh all have flaws.
Jacksonville has already beaten Denver and the Chargers by double digits, swept the AFC West and split with Houston, despite not playing its best football at the time. There is no dominant juggernaut blocking the path.
Defensively the Jaguars are not perfect. They can miss tackles and give up chunk plays. But they lead the AFC in turnovers. The unit is young, talented, and have shown a knack for rising to the moment in big games.
Add in an improving pass rush and a coaching staff that has clearly changed the culture, and you have the makings of a dangerous postseason team. This feels like one of those seasons that fans remember forever.
Whether Jacksonville reaches the Super Bowl or falls short, this group has already changed the trajectory of the franchise. Still, it is hard to shake the feeling that something special is brewing.
The Jaguars have the quarterback, the belief, the momentum, and the opportunity.
In a year defined by parity, there is no reason to think the Jacksonville Jaguars cannot be the team still standing at the end. The hype train may just be getting started.
The Trevor Lawrence Problem
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars sit at 7-4, staring at a playoff berth and very much in the AFC South hunt.
On paper, that sounds like a franchise on stable footing. But if you have watched this team week after week, if you have seen the way they win and the way they almost lose, you know better.
The Jaguars are walking a tightrope, and the biggest wobble on that line is the quarterback they once believed would be the face of the franchise.
Trevor Lawrence arrived in 2021 as the most can’t miss quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. Jacksonville’s leaders imagined a decade of Pro Bowls, playoff runs, and steady ascension.
Instead, they paired him with Urban Meyer. Then they paired him with Doug Pederson. Now he is learning a third system in five seasons under Liam Coen. Continuity hasn’t been a gift the Jaguars have given their young quarterback.
At some point, the excuses begin to sound like noise. The instability is real, and it has affected him. But great quarterbacks rise above chaos.
They drag coaches and receivers and entire rosters with them. They do more than survive dysfunction. They stabilize it. Lawrence has not done that.
Sunday in Arizona was the perfect snapshot of the Trevor Lawrence dilemma.
The Jaguars beat the Cardinals by a score of 27 to 24 in overtime. They improved to 7 and 4. Lawrence led clutch drives when it mattered. It all sounds good at first glance.
Except they needed those heroic drives because he buried them in mistakes earlier.
Lawrence committed four turnovers, which included three interceptions and one lost fumble. All of the turnovers were avoidable, and all of them are deeply concerning.
These mistakes were not the product of pressure or protection breakdowns.
On all three interceptions, Lawrence had time. He had a clean pocket. He had open windows. And he still misread, misfired, or misjudged. These are the errors of a player who still looks like he is trying to figure out the position.
This is why Jacksonville’s record feels like it hides more than it reveals. The Jaguars are winning in spite of their quarterback, not because of him.
What is really carrying this team is the pass rush. Josh Hines Allen has rediscovered his form and has become the most disruptive force on the roster.
With Travon Walker out, Hines Allen was moved all over the formation. He lined up on the left side, he looped through the middle, and he attacked mismatches whenever he could.
The result was ten pressures, one sack, and constant havoc. Jacksonville’s front seven kept Jacoby Brissett uncomfortable for most of the afternoon.
The defense bailed the Jaguars out from a turnover filled disaster. The offense, particularly Lawrence, nearly handed the game away.
This is not a one-time problem. Lawrence entered the week completing only 58.6 percent of his passes, which is his lowest mark since his rookie year. He has fourteen turnovers, which ties him for the most in the NFL.
He has 83 career touchdown passes and 81 career turnovers. That is not elite quarterback play. That is not even average quarterback play.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars receiving corps has been a revolving door of injuries and inconsistency.
Brian Thomas Junior has not lived up to expectations. Travis Hunter Jr. is on injured reserve. Drops and miscommunications have plagued the offense, which is one of the reasons Jacksonville traded for the reliable Jakobi Meyers. Meyers has already become Lawrence’s most trustworthy target.
Great quarterbacks elevate inconsistent receivers. The Jaguars receivers are not lifting Lawrence, and he is not lifting them.
That leads to the real question, the one that Jacksonville fans often whisper.
Is Trevor Lawrence truly a franchise quarterback, or is he simply adequate? Is he a quarterback who wins only when everything else goes right, and who crumbles when it doesn’t?
The final stretch of this season will answer that question. The Jaguars can still win the AFC South. They can still host a playoff game. But the closer they get to January, the clearer the truth becomes.
The defense is excellent. The coaching is improving. The roster is competitive.
The quarterback, who should be the most stable part of the operation, is still the one thing they cannot fully trust.
Until that changes, the Jaguars will remain a good team pretending to be a great one, hoping their quarterback finally becomes the player they drafted him to be.
Contenders Only
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 3-1, and that is not something a lot of people saw coming after last year’s mess of a season.
Just a few months ago this was a 4-13 team that looked lost. Now they’ve knocked off the San Francisco 49ers 26-21, and the big question is whether this start is the real deal or just an early season tease.
What stood out against San Francisco is how complete the win was.
The defense, under new coordinator Anthony Campanile, is playing with swagger. They already have more takeaways in four games than all of last season, and they held one of the toughest offenses in football to just one touchdown in three trips to the red zone. That does not happen by accident.
On offense, the Jaguars are still figuring things out under Liam Coen, but they are starting to look dangerous. The run game has been steady, piling up over 150 yards against the 49ers. Travis Etienne keeps finding room to run, and that all goes back to the offensive line.
A year ago, that group was a punchline. Now they are the backbone of this team.
The line has allowed just three sacks through four games. Last year by this point, Trevor Lawrence had already been sacked 13 times. On Sunday, he wasn’t touched once. Zero sacks, zero hits.
That is unheard of against a 49ers front that usually lives in the backfield.
The Jags front office deserves a ton credit for rebuilding that unit and adding depth. Even when starters went down, the backups have stepped in and the offense hasn’t missed a beat.
Lawrence did not put up crazy numbers to be sure, but you could see how comfortable he was. He controlled the game, made smart decisions, and spread the ball around.
Second year wideout Brian Thomas Jr. had his best game yet. Brenton Strange chipped in as a do-everything tight end, and special teams made big plays with Bhayshul Tuten’s kick return and Parker Washington’s punt return. It was a full team effort.
The defense has its own standouts. Devin Lloyd looks like a man on a mission in a contract year, and Dennis Gardeck has been one of those hidden gems who makes plays all over the place.
Even with injuries to Travon Walker, Anton Harrison, and Eric Murray during the game, they held strong. Stopping San Francisco in the red zone was the difference in the game.
Now, it’s not all sunshine. The Jaguars are still way too sloppy with penalties.
They’ve been flagged more than any team in the league so far, and the offensive line has been guilty of too many false starts and holding calls.
Third down has also been a problem, with too many drives stalling out because they’re playing behind the sticks. Those are things that have to get cleaned up if they want to hang with the big boys.
So, are the Jaguars for real? At this point, it sure feels like it.
The defense is creating turnovers, the run game is consistent, the offensive line is dominating, and Lawrence looks like he has full control of the offense. This isn’t the same old Jags that collapsed when things got tough.
This team looks tougher, deeper, and more confident.
The real measuring stick comes next Monday night when the defending AFC champion Chiefs come into Duval.
If Jacksonville can handle the stage, clean up the mistakes, and keep winning at the line of scrimmage, then this 3-1 start might not be just smoke and mirrors.
It’s the sign that the Jaguars might finally be a team to take seriously.
Time To Step Up
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars are just three weeks into the 2025 season, but their 2–1 record already tells us a story of grit, growth, and some lingering inconsistencies.
After an offseason that came with a good bit of change, with new head coach Liam Coen leaving Tampa Bay to take over the reins in Jacksonville following their disastrous 4–13 disappointment from last year.
The Jaguars have shown signs of a team that is ready to contend again in the AFC South. At the same time, they’ve also revealed enough cracks to remind fans and players that the climb back to potential playoff form might not be as simple as some had hoped.
The brightest development has been the resurgence of the running game.
After a slow season last year former 1st round pick Travis Etienne has picked up right where he left off a year ago as Jacksonville’s most reliable offensive weapon.
Through three weeks, he’s delivered explosive plays on the ground and in the passing game, including a game-clinching touchdown against Houston in Week 3. His blend of speed and vision has given the Jaguars the ability to control the tempo of games and avoid leaning too heavily on the passing game when things bog down.
Another player, who in my opinion, has come out of the gates headfirst is this year’s 4th round pick, Bhayshul Tuten. With the unexpected emergence of Tuten the Jags were able to make a big decision which was to trade former 3rd round pick, running back Tank Bigsby to the Eagles.
On defense, linebacker Foye Oluokun has been the tone-setter. He’s not only piling up tackles but also forcing turnovers, including an interception and a fumble recovery that swung the opener against Carolina. The pass rush, led by Travon Walker and Josh Allen, has also produced steady pressure, helping the defense notch three or more sacks in two of the first three games.
When this group is flying around, Jacksonville looks like the tough, opportunistic defense Coen envisioned.
Another key thing that needs to be recognized is through the first 3 weeks of the season this Jaguars defense is leading the NFL with 7 total interceptions.
The Wide receiver room is unfortunately beginning with their fair share of struggles. Even though they haven’t come out guns blazing like some may have hoped, they have still provided flashes of what we could start to see consistently in the near future.
Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has shown his big-play potential with deep catches, while wide receiver / cornerback Travis Hunter has been tested early and hasn’t shied away from the challenge. Their development will be key in determining just how far this roster can go in 2025.
Still, the season so far has been far from flawless. The most glaring issue remains Trevor Lawrence’s inconsistency.
While he’s shown poise and accuracy at times including three touchdown passes in the narrow Week 2 loss at Cincinnati, turnovers have been a recurring problem. Lawrence has already thrown multiple interceptions in a game, and those miscues have stalled drives and flipped momentum, but you can’t blame all of the passing issues on Lawrence being that the Jaguars have one of the highest drop rates in the entire league. For a team still learning to close out tough contests, ball security will be critical.
Penalties have also haunted the Jaguars. They were penalized 11 times in the opener and were flagged for a costly pass interference in Cincinnati that helped extend the Bengals’ game-winning drive. Discipline has been a theme since training camp, and it’s clear the team is still trying to iron out the details for Coen’s new system.
Another concern for the Jags is their efficiency in the red zone. Jacksonville has been able to consistently move the ball between the 20s but seem to have to often fall short and settle for field goals rather than touchdowns and like we all know when you’re in a competitive game against a quality opponent, leaving points on the board could be the difference between a playoff push and another mediocre season.
At 2–1, Jacksonville finds themselves in 2nd place in the AFC South, behind only the Indianapolis Colts. The surprisingly near elite level of play from Daniel Jones is seeming to make a division that looks winnable into an increasingly competitive fight.
Texans remain dangerous with their young core, while Tennessee also can’t be overlooked.
For the Jaguars to stay ahead, they’ll need Lawrence to stabilize his play and really start to establish the passing game, the offensive line needs to hold up against elite fronts so this run game can keep driving full steam, and the defense to continue generating turnovers at the high level they are currently.
The early weeks have at least proven this to us, the Jaguars under Liam Coen are more resilient than they were a year ago.
In 2024, close games hardly ended competitively. In 2025, Jacksonville has already shown they can hang in and finish the job, like they showed in the grind-it-out win over Houston. That kind of toughness was missing last year and could be the foundation of something bigger under Coen.
The next stretch of the schedule will test the Jaguars’ growth.
Matchups against San Francisco and Kansas City will serve as true measuring sticks for a team still trying to establish its identity.
Win one of those, and Jacksonville will prove that they belong back in the AFC playoff conversation.
For now, a 2–1 start gives us real hope that progress is being made.
The Jaguars have weapons on offense, they have playmakers on defense, and maybe most importantly they have a belief that wasn’t always there last season.
If they can clean up the mistakes, Jacksonville has the foundation to potentially be a contender once again.
The Reset
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent all offseason telling us they’re different.
New head coach. New coordinators. A new general manager calling the shots. A bunch of new faces on the roster. It’s a complete reset.
But here’s the reality: in the NFL, it doesn’t matter how shiny things look in May or how sharp you look in a preseason practice clip. It only matters if you win when the real games begin.
And for the Jaguars, that moment comes this Sunday in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.
This game is more than just a season opener. It’s the first chance for Jacksonville to prove they’ve actually turned the corner after a miserable 4-13 season that cost Doug Pederson his job.
Fans are hungry for a team they can believe in again. And frankly, the players are too. You can sense that energy every time Liam Coen talks about setting the tone
Coen, who takes over as head coach after building one of the league’s most exciting offenses in Tampa, hasn’t shied away from the obvious. The Jaguars must start fast.
That’s something Pederson’s teams simply could not do. In 2022 Jacksonville dug itself a 2-6 hole before going on a miracle run to the playoffs. In 2023 the Jags stumbled to a 1-2 start and never quite found their stride again.
Even when the wins came later, the early-season stumbles kept the team from hitting its full potential.
Coen wants to flip that script immediately, and a lot of that pressure falls on Trevor Lawrence. Believe it or not, Lawrence has only one Week 1 win in his career. One.
That’s not the record you expect from a quarterback who was hyped as a once-in-a-generation talent coming out of Clemson.
He doesn’t need to throw for 400 yards to make a statement, but a clean, efficient performance that shows he’s in command of Coen’s offense would go a long way.
Now, the offense isn’t the only side of the ball with something to prove. The defense flat-out cratered last season, finishing bottom five in most major categories.
That’s why Anthony Campanile was brought in as defensive coordinator, and his challenge is steep.
The Jaguars don’t need to turn into the ’85 Bears overnight, but they have to be better at pressuring the quarterback and holding their ground against the run.
One player who could make a big difference is veteran defensive lineman Arik Armstead. Last year, he was misused badly and his production tanked.
This season, he’s back where he belongs, working inside at the 3-technique spot, and Coen has been glowing about what that does for the defense.
Armstead’s length, quickness, and experience can be a nightmare for interior linemen. If he’s healthy and disruptive, it changes everything about how opponents attack Jacksonville.
Of course, the matchup with Carolina also has some fun storylines.
The Panthers, like the Jaguars, are being led by a young offensive-minded head coach in Dave Canales. He and Coen have crossed paths before, and there’s mutual respect between them.
Both franchises are trying to prove their former No. 1 overall pick quarterbacks are worth building around. Both are filled with rookies and newcomers who want to prove themselves. In a lot of ways, these two teams are mirror images, which makes Sunday an even better measuring stick.
This game has to be about showing signs of progress.
Fans have been told for months that this is a new era in Jacksonville. That the franchise has finally found the right leadership. That the roster upgrades will pay off. Week 1 is the first real chance to back up all that talk.
If the Jaguars come out, play with energy, execute Coen’s system, and beat the Panthers, it’ll be the kind of early confidence boost this team desperately needs.
It won’t mean they’re suddenly Super Bowl contenders, but it will prove the rebuild is moving in the right direction.
If they stumble out of the gate again? If Lawrence looks shaky and the defense springs leaks like last season? Then it’s déjà vu, and the ghosts of 2024 will creep back in fast.
Week 1 won’t define the entire season, but for a franchise desperate to turn the page, this opener matters more than most.
It’s the Jaguars’ first real chance to show that, finally, things really are different in Jacksonville.
No Two Ways About It
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If there is anyone stubborn and talented enough to try and make NFL history as a two-way player, it is Travis Hunter.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ top draft pick is doing something that has not been seriously attempted at the professional level in a very long time. He is playing both offense and defense, lining up at cornerback and wide receiver.
That isn’t just bold. It is a logistical and physical challenge that most players would not even consider. But Travis Hunter is not most players.
Through the first week of Jaguars training camp, the early signs are encouraging. Hunter has split his time almost evenly between offense and defense and he is already flashing big-time ability on both sides of the ball.
On Monday, he caught a touchdown from Trevor Lawrence on a scramble drill, made a diving catch during one-on-one reps, and even threw his body into blocking assignments.
His training camp numbers are solid too. He has been targeted 11 times on offense and caught 10 passes. On defense, he has allowed just two completions on five targets and has broken up three passes.
The Jaguars knew what they were getting.
General manager James Gladstone said from the start that this was not an experiment. This was the plan. They drafted him with the full intention of letting him play both sides of the ball. As Gladstone put it, Hunter helps fix the numbers. He gives you the value of an extra player on the roster.
But is that really sustainable over a full NFL season?
Analyst, and former NFL defensive back, Ryan Clark raised a fair concern this week. He questioned the math behind the idea that one player can fully take on the responsibilities of two.
In his words, one player might be able to give you the impact of one and a half players. But expecting anyone to do the work of two full-time starters at a high level is a stretch.
I think the answer is not to expect Hunter to do everything all the time. The answer is balance and discipline. Hunter does not need to be on the field for 70 snaps every week to be considered a true two-way player.
The Jaguars need to use him like football’s version of Shohei Ohtani. In baseball, Ohtani does not pitch every day. He focuses on his hitting most of the time and takes the mound only every few days.
The same logic can apply to Hunter. Let him start at one position and use him situationally at the other. It is not about proving a point. It is about making a difference when it matters most.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen seems to understand this. He has said Friday’s scrimmage will serve as an evaluation point.
It’s not about making a final decision. It’s about seeing what the current plan looks like in a real football setting and adjusting from there. The coaching staff has already started tailoring his practice and meeting schedule to fit both roles. That kind of flexibility will be key to making this work.
This is not some side project for Hunter. He is not just dabbling at a second position. He is capable of excelling at both.
He has the footwork, instincts, and football IQ to be a true shutdown corner. And he has the route-running, hands, and vision to be an impact receiver.
Yes, there will be days when it is too much. There will be moments when the physical toll or mental demands catch up to him. But if the Jaguars are careful with how they use him and focus on situations that play to his strengths, Travis Hunter can absolutely succeed.
He might not be two players. But he has a chance to be something even rarer. One of one.
And in the modern NFL, that kind of versatility is priceless.
Duval Swag
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jaguars are officially entering a bold new chapter. I don’t think it will be anything like what we’ve seen come out of Duval before.
This team is younger, faster, and more aggressive. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence remains at the center of it all.
The front office and coaching staff have made it clear that 2025 is all about getting the most out of their franchise QB.
The first major sign that things were changing came in the draft, when Jacksonville made waves by trading up to the No. 2 overall pick to grab Travis Hunter.
The rookie from the University of Colorado is an electrifying two-way star who’s expected to line up at wide receiver and cornerback.
The move stunned just about everyone and showed exactly how head coach Liam Coen and new GM James Gladstone plan to run things: bold, fast, and with no fear.
Coen, just 39, brings an offensive style built around balance, speed, and play-action which are all designed to take pressure off Lawrence. He’s paired with 29-year-old offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, who helped build high-powered attacks in Minnesota.
The idea for Lawrence is simple. Get the ball out quick, use the run game to set things up, and let Trevor cook.
To make it all work, the Jaguars made big changes to their offensive line, signing veterans like center Robert Hainsey and guard Patrick Mekari, and drafting Wyatt Milum to add depth. Lawrence may finally have adequate protection and should be able to get the ground game going again.
Lawrence, now healthy after an injury-riddled 2024, has more help than ever. He’s got Hunter as his new top target, second-year wideout Brian Thomas Jr. ready to explode, and free-agent pickup Dyami Brown bringing more deep speed.
The Jags added two rookies, Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., to the backfield. They both bring serious burst and either could push veterans Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby for touches. Expect a steady rotation to keep defenses guessing.
Behind Lawrence, the quarterback room has also gotten smarter. Nick Mullens and John Wolford know this system well and can help Trevor with the transition. Rookie Seth Henigan might be a project, but the team sees potential there too.
On the other side of the ball, it’s all new. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has taken over a unit that struggled big-time last year. He’s bringing a 4-3 system that leans on zone coverage and lets the front seven get after it.
Pass rushers Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen lead the way, with Arik Armstead moving inside where he’s most comfortable.
Second-year tackle Maason Smith is someone the team’s really excited about after flashing late last season. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun is back to anchor the middle, but the run defense has to get better.
In the secondary Tyson Campbell is the top guy, but he’s got to stay healthy. Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray bring veteran leadership, and rookie safety Caleb Ransaw could earn a starting spot.
And yes, I think Travis Hunter will get defensive snaps, too. Especially in key passing situations where his ball skills could help generate turnovers, something this team badly needs after finishing last in takeaways in 2024.
Special teams will be as solid as ever. Punter Logan Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik both made the Pro Bowl, and kicker Cam Little has a cannon for a leg. That trio gives Jacksonville one of the most reliable special teams units in the league.
Everything’s different in Jacksonville this year, and that’s a good thing. The Jags are faster, younger, and playing with some serious swagger.
If Trevor Lawrence can stay healthy and the new offensive pieces click, this team has a real shot to make noise and go after the AFC South crown.
With all of these changes and a new attitude, I can envision a 2025 season where the Jags could go 9-8 with a shot at the playoffs.
Buckle up, Duval! This could be fun.
On To Duval
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 NFL Draft has come to an end, so let’s take a look at how the Jacksonville Jaguars come out of the Draft with an NFL.com grade of A-.
The Jaguars and new GM James Gladstone began the draft with a bang right out of the gate, by trading up from Round 1 Pick 5, to get Round 1 Pick 2.
The Jaguars traded the Cleveland Browns, Pick No 5 in 2025, 2025 Pick No. 36, 2025 Pick No. 126, and a 2026 1st Round Pick, and in exchange they got back 2025 Pick No. 2 (Travis Hunter), 2025 Pick No. 104 (Bhayshul Tuten), and 2025 Pick No. 200 (Rayuan Lane III).
As a Die-Hard Jaguars fan I am beyond pleased with the outcome of this year’s draft.
Starting out with the most notable selection is Round 1 Pick 2 Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter.
Hunter was the No. 1 Recruit in the Nation out of High School. In his 2024 season he was able to obtain a mountain of Awards and Accolades such as the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, winning the Biletnikoff Award (Best WR) and Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defender), the Lott IMPACT Trophy (Top Defensive Player who exhibits Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity), being named Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, winning the Paul Hornung (Most Versatile Player), all while also being named Big 12 Player of the Year, 1st-Team All-Big 12 WR, 1st-Team All-Big 12 CB, 1st-Team Associated Press All-American All-Purpose & CB, 2nd-Team Associated Press All-American WR.
Hunter tallied up a ridiculous stat line for the 2024 season. On Offense he caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards, and 16 total touchdowns. On Defense he had 35 Tackles, 1 FF, 4 INTs, 11 PBUs, only allowed 23 Catches and 1 TD on 41 Targets.
Although he has shown if he had chosen one position in the draft he probably would have been WR1 or CB1 the Jaguars have recently announced that Hunter will start out on the offensive side of the ball and gradually work into defense.
Next is Round 3 Pick 88 Caleb Ransaw, a DB from Tulane who could potentially become a starter for the Jaguars at slot corner at some point this season. Ransaw finished his 2024 season with 34 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 Sack, 3 PBUs, which was enough for him to be named 2024 3rd-Team All-American Athletic Conference
With their third selection they drafted the West Virginia OT Wyatt Milum at Round 3 Pick 89. Milum was named 2024 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also was 1st-Team All-Big 12, and 2nd-Team Associated Press All-American. Fun fact about Wyatt is he was Originally committed to pitch as a lefty for the University of Marshall Baseball Team, before he switched and became a 4-year starter for West Virginia’s Football Team
Their next selection came in Round 4 where they drafted Virginia Tech HB Bhayshul Tuten with Pick 104. Tuten could definitely see some work early on in the season especially on special teams and maybe even see him come in on some early down formations.
In 2024 he rushed for 1,159 yards on 183 carries and punched in 15 touchdowns. That was good enough for him to make 2nd-Team All-ACC for the second year in a row.
Next pick was Round 4 Pick 107 where they selected Jack Kiser, the linebacker from Notre Dame. Throughout his time at Notre Dame, he played in 70 total games which was enough for him to set the school record for most games played.
In 2024 Kiser had 90 Tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 PBU, and 2 FFs. He was named the Notre Dame Man of the Year and was a Finalist for the William V. Campbell and Wuerffel Trophies.
In Round 6 they got one of the biggest steals of the draft, with pick 194 they drafted Auburn linebacker Jalen Mcleod.
In 2024 he had 13.5 TFLs, 8 Sacks, 2 FFs, 57 Tackles, and 1 PBU. Even though he was a late round pick, with the physicality and speed of Mcleod at the strongside linebacker position I really believe the Jags got a player who could potentially come in and have an immediate impact, especially with the consistent injury history of starter Ventrell Miller.
The Jags used their Round 6 Pick they acquired in the Browns trade to get Navy Safety Rayuan Lane III at No. 200.
In 2024 he had 3 FFs, 70 Tackles, 2 INTs (1 Returned for a TD), and 4 PBUs, and made 1st-Team All-American Athletic Conference
In Round 7 they also had 2 picks, pick 221, which they used to get USC OL Jonah Monheim.
Monheim was a very versatile Offensive Lineman throughout his tenure in college, he played 18 games at RT, 3 games at RG, 12 at LT, and 12 at C. His senior year he earned 3rd-Team All-Big Ten Honors.
Even though he is now primarily a center, it seems as if Monheim could potentially be used as a plug-n-play kind of guy on the Offensive Line.
They also had pick 236, which landed them Syracuse HB LeQuint Allen Jr.
In his final year at Syracuse, he rushed for 1,021 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Allen Jr also led all of FBS HBs with 64 Receptions (521 yards & 4 TDs). A season like that allowed him to be an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2024.
After the draft was finally completely finished Jacksonville made 20 more calls and signed a bulk of Undrafted Free Agents such as Elon WR Chandler Brayboy, Boise State WR Cam Camper, Indiana DL James Carpenter, Wake Forest LB Branson Combs, North Carolina TE John Copenhaver, Oklahoma DL Ethan Downs, Colorado DL B.J. Green II, Memphis QB Seth Henigan, Oregon TE Patrick Herbert, Arkansas RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, North Carolina WR J.J. Jones, North Dakota State DL Eli Mostaert, Oregon DB Jabbar Muhammad, Duke WR Eli Pancol, Arkansas DL Keivie Rose, Colorado S Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, Arkansas DB Doneiko Slaughter, Minnesota DL Danny Striggow, North Carolina State DB Aydan White, and Penn State OL Sal Wormley.
After all that I think it’s safe to say Jacksonville touched on all the key points that were essential to them in this year’s draft.
I believe out of all the other teams in the NFL, they definitely had one of the best overall drafts this year and I can’t wait to see them put all of these new options to work this off-season.
