NEW ORLEANS, La. – Senior writer John Oehser examines five storylines from the Jaguars’ 24-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints in a 2026 Preseason Week 1 game at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.

1.Showing up early. Josh Cameron and CJ Williams have been a prominent storyline throughout the offseason program and training camp, and the rookie wide receivers – both of whom were selected in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL Draft – continued in that vein in Saturday's preseason opener. "It was a lot of fun to kind of carry the mantle while some of those vet guys didn't play today," Williams said. "To go out there and start an NFL game is a pretty good feeling." Williams caught two passes for 28 yards Saturday and Cameron caught one pass for 19 yards, with both players in the starting lineup with the Jaguars not playing most of their starters. "I thought they were solid," Head Coach Liam Coen said. "There were a lot of good learning ops for these guys. So many of them were getting first-time NFL exposure today, so many of them. A lot of great learning ops and stuff to clean up." Said Williams, "All that matters is what you put on film. Coach EB (wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett) says it all the time, and Coach Coen, 'Whatever happens between the 52-1/3 (the width of the field), what you put on film, is really what matters.' "

2.Calling the game. Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski handled playcalling duties for the Jaguars Saturday, as is expected to be the case throughout the preseason, with Coen – who calls plays during the regular season – listening on the defensive headset more than usual. "It was good," Coen said. "I thought the communication was solid." The Jaguars finished with 20 points and 275 total yards after producing 82 first-half yards with two field goals. They rushed for 89 second-half yards after rushing for 29 in the first half. "I thought Grant did a nice job kind of settling at halftime," Coen said. "I've been in those moments where not a lot's working and you're frustrated and you don't really have a ton to go to. It was really like, 'Let's just go downhill and just run and run it.' I thought he did a nice job mixing it up when he needed to. He was calm, cool, collected. I was happy for him.''

3.Get 'em out quick. Offensive line health has been a storyline throughout '26 training camp, and that continued early Saturday. Chuma Edoga, a key part of the Jaguars' offensive line rotation expected to play a similar role this season, left the game after sustaining an injury on the first drive. Second-year veterans Wyatt Milum and Jonah Monheim, also expected to be key parts of the offensive line rotation, were removed from the game shortly after Edoga's injury. "That was moreso the plan," Coen said of Milum and Monheim leaving early. "We just wanted to get them a little bit of work early. It was a longer drive. We just kind of wanted to get those guys out of there, get them some work, get them some reps and get them out." Multiple Jaguars offensive linemen including right tackle Walker Little and guard Patrick Mekari have missed extensive practice during '26 camp with injuries, with right tackle Cole Van Lanen (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp.

4.Big response. Jaguars rookie Trebor Peña had a memorable fourth quarter, first dropping a would-be touchdown pass from third-team quarterback Carter Bradley that would have given the Jaguars lead then setting up the game-winning touchdown on the ensuing series. The drop came in the end zone on third-and-14 from the Saints 17 with 8:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. Pena on the ensuing series made a leaping catch over cornerback T.J. Hall Jr. – who interfered with and held Pena on the play – for a 43-yard gain. Running back J'Mari Taylor's 2-yard touchdown on the ensuing play gave the Jaguars their final margin of victory. "That's what it's all about," Coen said. "Carter threw a great ball, tight window, great throw. Thought he came down with it and he ended up losing it late. Then had a big-time double move at the end to make a play that put us in scoring position to win the game, so proud of him and proud of those guys."

5.Turnaround time. Bradley's performance in two-plus quarters Saturday mirrored the Jaguars' offensive performance, with the first-year veteran completing seven of nine passes for 69 second-half yards and a touchdown after completing three of eight first-half passes for 36 yards with an interception in the first half. "We settled down and responded in the right way," Bradley said. "Super proud of this locker room and super proud of the guys up front."