NEW ORLEANS, La. – Senior writer John Oehser examines five storylines to watch for the Jaguars in their 2026 preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints at Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans, La., Saturday

1.A night for youth. Saturday won't be about starters or front-line players for the Jaguars, who are expected to play mostly reserves and younger players. This is because the Jaguars worked starters and second-team players extensively in Thursday's joint practice with the Saints. The idea was to work those players in a controlled environment and create a competitive situation with lower injury risk, then have younger players play Saturday for evaluation and development. That means intriguing storylines deeper in the roster as players compete for roster spots and practice-squad roles. "We're excited to see the guys all go out there and compete," Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said.

2.Rookie expo. With most front-line players not playing, most Jaguars rookies – including draft selections – are expected to play. That may mean the first NFL action for tight ends Nate Boerkircher (Round 2) and Tanner Koziol (Round 5), who have impressed in camp and who could allow the Jaguars to use more multiple tight-end formations this season than they have used in the past. Rookie wide receivers Josh Cameron (Round 6) and CJ Williams (Round 6) also have stood out in camp with a real chance to make the roster and contribute. Other rookies to watch: Defensive tackle Albert Regis (Round 3), guard Emmanuel Pregnon (Round 3), safety Jalen Huskey (Round 3) and defensive ends Wesley Williams (Round 4) and Zach Durfee (Round 7) and linebacker Parker Hughes (Round 7).

3.Competitive nature. Among the more competitive positions on the roster during '26 camp: Outside linebacker, where fourth-year veteran Ventrell Miller and second-year veteran Branson Combs are listed co-starters. Those players could get repetitions Saturday, with first-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad – a first-year veteran who has stood out in training camp – also possibly playing Saturday. Also look for reserve quarterbacks Carter Bradley and Joey Aguilar to get extended playing time Saturday to compete for opportunity behind starter Trevor Lawrence and backup Nick Mullens.

4.Calling the plays. If Saturday is an opportunity for young players, it's also an opportunity for Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. The second-year coordinator, who interviewed for head coaching positions with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills this past offseason, is expected to call plays during the preseason – a role filled by Head Coach Liam Coen during the regular season. "You learn a lot about the timing and the process," Udinski said. "You always go through that simulation on the sideline, even in real games, but [calling plays means] having a real feel for the personnel and substitutions. You have injuries, you're trying to manage the game, you're trying to get different looks. I'm just looking forward to seeing those guys go out there and run the runs that we've practiced a hundred times against our defense and do it live with tackling against somebody else." Said Coen, "It's all our offense, he gets to call it and it's good exposure. Until you've done it and actually go and do it in those settings, you don't truly get an appreciation for it."

5.Different focus for Coen. With Udinski calling plays, Coen said he will spend more time Saturday on the defensive headset – something he has less opportunity to do during the regular season because he is more focused on the offense. "We have Mathieu Araujo being a new pass-game coordinator on defense," Coen said. "I'd like to be able to hear some more of the communication, between Campy (Campanile) and him and the defensive coaching staff and just be able to hear that and get that – more than I normally am able to do within a game, because typically when the defense is on, I'm doing adjustments with the offensive staff." Added Coen. "You can really, truly hear all the communication on the defensive side of the ball, be able to be engaged and really involved a little bit more than I normally am in that setting. And be able to provide a little bit of a different lens where maybe not every play I want to fight somebody or something. You're not as concerned about the outcome. You really just want to see everybody, the big picture, compete, and take a little bit of a backseat to caring so much about the offense every play, not living and dying by it."