JACKSONVILLE – Kris Richard likes a lot about the Jaguars' secondary.
He likes the players, and he likes their work ethic. And the Jaguars' first-year secondary coach said he likes how the team's defensive backs – familiar and new – are fitting into the team's new defensive scheme.
He particularly likes the group's approach – all of which has him optimistic as the Jaguars' 2024 offseason closes.
"It's been a really cool transition," Richards said.
Richard, hired as the Jaguars' defensive backs coach in January, spoke to the media in early June– along with the team's position coaches – as the 2024 offseason drew to a close. He discussed multiple topics, including veteran cornerback Tyson Campbell
Campbell, entering his fourth NFL season, is considered one of the NFL's better cornerbacks when healthy. He missed eight games with a hamstring injury last season, with Richard in early June praising Campbell's skill – and his ability to fit into the coverage scheme in first-year coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s defense.
"We don't control every circumstance," Richard said of Campbell, "but we do control our every thought. So soft-tissue injuries, whatever took place last year … it's a clean slate."
Nielsen called Campbell "one of the finer athletes (he has coached) throughout my coaching career."
"Just the way, he's able to run and transition," Nielsen said. "He has a bit of a perpetual motion thing. He has been a state champion as a 100-meter runner. That's incredibly valuable. He has that ball-type movement to where he's not hesitant, stiff. He's just rolling."
Richard, too, praised the entire Jaguars' secondary for their approach this offseason. Whereas the secondary was known as a zone-coverage unit the past two seasons under coordinator Mike Caldwell, Nielsen and Richard are expected to emphasize aggressive, attacking coverage.
Nielsen talked earlier this offseason about the secondary playing tight coverage with safety help, with Richard speaking earlier this month of the players adjusting quickly to the changes.
"Throughout your whole entire life, at some point, everybody's been a part of a defense, or trying to play a particular style that's been really challenging," Richard said. "Get up there, get in people's face, challenge them at the line of scrimmage, then get on the back, especially as a safety.
"We've got a lot of buy-in from the guys. We've got really good guys, really good athletes, and we're really looking forward to seeing where we take it."
A major storyline of the Jaguars' 2024 offseason is specifically where those athletes will play in 2024. Nielsen said throughout the offseason that the team wasn't using depth charts during organized team activities and minicamps, which meant the coaches were trying multiple players in multiple roles in the various formations and schemes.
Richard said that absolutely was the approach in the secondary.
The Jaguars spent the offseason revamping the secondary. Campbell and third-year veteran Montaric Brown return, as do safeties Andre Cisco, Antonio Johnson and Andrew Wingard. The Jaguars signed cornerback Ronald Darby and nickel/safety Darnell Savage as unrestricted free agents, selecting cornerback Jarrian Jones in Round 3 and De'Antre Prince in Round 5 in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Also factoring into the secondary: second-year corner Christian Braswell, fifth-year corner Tevaughn Campbell, seventh-year corner Tre Flowers, first-year corner Erick Hallett II, second-year corner Gregory Junior, fifth-year corner Amani Oruwariye, seventh-year safety Terrell Edmunds and fifth-year safety Daniel Thomas.
"That's kind of what we're going to have to wait and see," Richard said. "Because if we tell you now, there could be a knock at the door a little later. We don't want that. It's in due time. Right now, we're all learning the defense. We're teaching the nuances of it all. And we have guys in multiple positions that are learning in the ultimate need and our job is to put the best guys out there to help our team.
"Everyone in that room right now has got a chance to bring value to our football team."
Richard said perhaps the most encouraging trait of the entire secondary has been the overall "hunger" from a group he called "eager to learn and compete."
"Those are those are the necessary ingredients regardless of the scheme," Richard said. "Any scheme or anything of that nature, it's that fact. Throughout the years, I've been very fortunate to be a part of rooms that have a lot of guys with awesome level of humility. The majority of the better players in the league have that level of humility. What's that mean? It means they're coachable. They're able to recognize the intent of the coach, and the corrective measures that the coach makes. They take it, they embody it, then they look to fix it.
"Whatever needs to be handled, the guys are really locked in and really looking forward to competing."
Finishing strong 💪 Jaguars wrapped up their offseason programing with minicamp this week. Next up: we will see you at training camp!
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cooper Hodges (75) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Lorenzo Lingard (35) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Darryl Williams (60) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Steven Jones (64) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson (98) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Jack Anderson (66) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Andrew Parker Jr. (58) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman DJ Coleman (54) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman DJ Coleman (54) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Javon Foster (62) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Myles Cole (59) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Myles Cole (59) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defense during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Terrell Edmunds (45) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland (78) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Erick Hallett II (40) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive backs coach Kris Richard during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars XX during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Javon Foster (62) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Trey Kiser (53) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars owner Shad Khan and general manager Trent Baalke during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Jalen Jackson (36) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (70) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars strength and conditioning staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Lorenzo Lingard (35) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars owner Shad Khan and general manager Trent Baalke during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offense during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars equipment staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) and running back Tank Bigsby (4) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Austin Trammell (86) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (70) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars director of performance science Chris Bach during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland (78) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (70) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joseph Scates (84) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joseph Scates (84) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars athletic training staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Lorenzo Lingard (35) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker De'Shaan Dixon (47) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Andre Carter (97) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Andre Carter (97) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars athletic training staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Myles Cole (59) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Andre Carter (97) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Darryl Williams (60) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Lorenzo Lingard (35) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Andre Carter (97) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cooper Hodges (75) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Jalen Jackson (36) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars equipment staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Steven Jones (64) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars strength and conditioning staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) and Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offense during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offense during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and vice president of player health and performance Jeff Ferguson during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Jack Anderson during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker DJ Coleman (54) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) and tight end Josh Pederson (87) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen (41) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars athletic training staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Josiah Deguara (81) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Josh Pederson (87) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Gregory Junior (34) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars athletic training staff during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joseph Scates (84) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end group during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight ends coach Richard Angulo during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 12, 2024
