JACKSONVILLE – The energy was real, and fun.
This was Wednesday’s Day 2 of Jaguars 2025 minicamp – a sunny, warm mid-June day at a festive Miller Electric Center. The festivities were perhaps a bit more enjoyable for the defense than the offense, which Head Coach Liam Coen kept in perspective.
This was a day for smiles and cheering – and a cool day for fans.
"It was great to have the fans; I really appreciate them being out here today," Coen said.
The Jaguars on Wednesday held an intense, two-hour practice – with the session open to the public, a relatively rare occurrence for an NFL offseason practice. The MEC stands were overflowing, with the crowd cheering on a day featuring multiple big plays by multiple defensive players.
"It's a great experience," rookie wide receiver defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter said of practicing in front of the fans, with Coen adding: "I really appreciate them being out here today, taking the time throughout this time.
"[We] really felt them, the players fed off that, especially some of the younger guys feeling some of that support being rookies and never having a practice quite like this with fans here. So, really appreciate everybody coming out this week, today especially."
The unpadded Tuesday practice featured competitive 11-on-11, red-zone and situational work,with the defense "winning" more situations than the offense.
"The offense just kind of maybe let the defense set the tone a little bit today in a lot of ways," Coen said. "I thought [the defense's] energy was better than the offense's, just making plays. They had a little juice.
"Even if the offense made a play I thought the defense just kept responding."
Coen, who spent last season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator, has talked often during the offseason program of learning to see practices from a "head coach's perspective" rather than that of an offensive coach. He was asked if Wednesday's practice in that sense was "tough to swallow."
"Yeah, yeah," he said, adding of the defense, "They've done a good job, man. It's always good to have back and forth, and I think the defense has really improved over the last week. You see a solid improvement out of these guys."
Coen lauded the defense's pass rush Tuesday and Wednesday, saying the area elevated on Wednesday. He added that the defense performed well Wednesday tipping passes, forcing overthrows and creating turnovers.
"It was just good to see," Coen said. "You just got a lot of different guys touching the ball on defense and ultimately, now on the flip side offensively, we've got to come back and take care of the football better. If we don't hurt ourselves, usually good things happen."
Safety Antonio Johnson had an interception Wednesday, as did rookie safety Rayuan Lane III and rookie defensive tackle Keivie Rose . Cornerback Montaric Brown, cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Caleb Ransaw were among multiple defensive players with pass breakups.
"It's a lot of fun for the guys," Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said of the competitive nature of Wednesday's practice. "It's good for us as coaches, too. Just being in a competitive environment, calling it. Liam does an unbelievable job with that, creating competitive situations every day, and our guys have done a really good job responding to that. Just the culture of the team, everything about competing.
A sunny summer morning in Jacksonville, Florida as Jaguars fans attended open practice to support the team. General Manager James Gladstone addresses the audience before practice began and the day concluded with rookie autographs. Minicamp has been a huge success. Stay tuned for 2025 training camp details coming soon. 👀 Go Jags! 🐆
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig (32) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Eli Pancol (10) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
0Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig (32) and defensive back Caleb Ransaw (27) sign autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (35), wide receiver Eli Pancol (10), and defensive back Aydan White (40) during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Seth Henigan (19) sign autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman B.J. Green II (95) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Seth Henigan (19) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Jack Kiser (54) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end John Copenhaver (43) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars general manager James Gladstone and senior reporter and editor J.P. Shadrick speaks to the fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Patrick Herbert (47) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (64) signs autographs for fans during mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars general manager James Gladstone and senior reporter and editor J.P. Shadrick speaks to the fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — 2025 Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars fans before mandatory minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on June 11, 2025.
"Liam's created that environment in practice every day, which is awesome."
After two intense, two-hour-ish practices to start minicamp, Coen said Thursday's Day 3 session – the final practice of the offseason program – will be closer to an hour and feature seven-on-seven work with just one 11-on-11 "team" period.
"Tomorrow (Thursday) we tone it back down, which has been planned for weeks now," Coen said, adding that the idea will be to "try to get some of these young guys work, get some of these rookies and developmentals a little bit more work, and just make sure we leave here healthy – but also, with a solid understanding of how to get lined up, the motions, the shifts.
"I want tomorrow (Thursday) to be cleaner than today (Wednesday) was, and I'll feel a little bit better walking off the field."
NOTABLE
- Jaguars second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.. left practice briefly Wednesday with what Coen said was a shoulder bruise. He returned to the field but did not finish practice. "He's fine," Coen said. "He absolutely could have gone back and played. He bruised it a little bit. He said he had great range of motion, strength. He's all good. No issues. It's nothing new for him. He's had them a little in the past. He was completely cleared to play. It's never fun to see. And we've been really blessed and fortunate. It happens."
