JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars experts – Frank Frangie, Brent Martineau, John Oehser, Brian Sexton, John Shipley, J.P. Shadrick, Mark Duffner, Austen Lane and Kainani Stevens – are breaking down the Jaguars as the 2026 NFL season approaches; today: the pass rush and other defensive storylines

John Oehser, jaguars.com senior writer

• Key defensive storyline: Generating more consistent pass rush, particularly from the interior defensive line. The Jaguars in 2026 were the NFL's best run defense and one of the league's best defenses creating turnovers. That combination made for a very good defense much of the season, good enough to help them to a 13-4 regular-season record and the AFC South title. A key to improving in 2026 is to get better push and disruption in passing situations from a defensive interior that struggled at times in this area last season – particularly as defensive tackle Arik Armstead dealt with a hand injury for the last five weeks of the regular season. This is a good defense. Ratcheting up the interior defensive pressure could make it great.

Mark Duffner, former longtime NFL/Jaguars assistant coach and Jaguars Media Analyst

• Key defensive storyline: I'm anxious to see who in the defensive end room adds to the defense's ability to affect the quarterback. I like what I have seen from defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker – particularly Walker. With Walker sometimes playing as an interior rusher, the Jaguars need effective and productive edge pressure. The Jaguars still may need a veteran free-agent presence. Padded practice in training camp will reveal a lot here.

Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars

• Key defensive storyline: The interior of the defensive line. The Jags must get a better inside pass rush than they had last year to help the exterior pass rushers.

Austen Lane, former Jaguars defensive end and Jaguars Media Analyst

• Key defensive storyline: This is the same question we were asking while watching the Buffalo Bills celebrate as the clock hit zero in Jacksonville in an AFC Wild Card Playoff in January: Can this defense get to the quarterback? While the Jaguars were the league's best at stopping the run last season, they didn't always have the same success generating pressure. Whether it was injuries, simplifying the defense on the back end, or asking players such as Walker to kick inside and focus more on stopping the run than rushing the passer, the pass rush must improve. With another year in coordinator Anthony Campanile's defense, more wrinkles being added, and the possibility of incorporating more speed packages in nickel and dime situations, I think the Jaguars could make getting after the quarterback a defining part of their identity.

Brent Martineau, Action Sports Jax Sports Director

• Key defensive storyline: Walker. The Jags believe in him after signing him to an extension this offseason, but we all wonder how high his ceiling will be during this next contract. Can Walker be a game-wrecker in the passing game as often is the case when he is stopping the run? Will the Jaguars use him exclusively on the edge? His career best is 10.5 sacks, and I think he will have his most productive season yet. If so, he and Hines-Allen have the chance to be the highest sack duo in the NFL.

John Shipley, Jaguars Media correspondent

• Key defensive storyline: Who is replacing linebacker Devin Lloyd, who signed with the Carolina Panthers as an unrestricted free agent earlier this offseason? Campanile is a linebackers coach at heart and has seen several linebackers have the best seasons of their career under him, including Lloyd last season. Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs seem like the two candidates to take Lloyd's spot next to Foyesade Oluokun, and whoever is thrust into the role will have big shoes to fill from a production standpoint.

Brian Sexton, jaguars.com senior correspondent

• Key defensive storyline: How good will the secondary be? Can the group be "sticky" enough in coverage to give Hines-Allen and Walker the extra second or so they need to get to the quarterback? The Jaguars' opponents got rid of the ball quickly last season, second fastest in football, and that led to a disappointing sacks total. New defensive pass game coordinator Mathieu Araujo – whose coverage philosophy I'm told is a better fit for Campanile's scheme – plus the return of cornerbacks Travis Hunter and Jourdan Lewis from injuries and safety Caleb Ransaw – who missed all of last season with a foot injury – gives this unit a chance to take a big step forward. If they do that, it could be the difference between 32 sacks and something approaching 50 – the latter of which is the mark of a top-tier pass-rushing unit.

J.P. Shadrick, jaguars.com reporter/editor

• Key defensive storyline: Run defense. The Jaguars in 2025 were No. 1 in the NFL against the run, and it set up everything else they did well - especially takeaways. This is once again the priority for Campanile, and everything the Jaguars do defensively starts here. Also: How will the departure of Lloyd and his production change things? It feels like they think his production can be spread out around the defense.

Kainani Stevens, team reporter/producer

• Key defensive storyline: A consistent pass rush. Hines-Allen and Walker are the key to maintaining success for the defense. Both will need to stay healthy and turn their significant amount of pressures into sacks this season.