JACKSONVILLE – The progress continues, and the progress is critical.
This story is about the Jaguars' offensive line, and it's a pertinent story on Day 5 of 2025 Training Camp because the team moved into pads that day. And if it's still early in that important story, Head Coach Liam Coen reiterated Monday what he made clear throughout the offseason:
He likes what he's seeing up front – even if much more must be seen.
"There have been strides made," Coen said.
The offensive line is one of the top storylines of '25 camp, with the Jaguars revamping the group throughout the offseason by not only signing four unrestricted free agents – Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari, Chuma Edoga and Fred Johnson – but also selecting two offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft:
- Wyatt Milum (Round 3)
- Jonah Monheim (Round 7).
Three starters from last season also returned – left tackle Walker Little, right tackle Anton Harrison and left guard Ezra Cleveland – in addition to veterans such as center Luke Fortner and lineman Cole Van Lanen. Fortner started in 2022 and 2023, with Van Lanen considered a key backup last season.
"You can tell we're improving communication-wise, technique-wise," said Hainsey, who is projected to start at center with Mekari likely playing right guard. "So far, it's been a great start."
A theme throughout the offseason was training camp would essentially be an open competition for the line, with Coen on Monday calling the group early in camp "a work in progress."
"It's a group that's still getting to know each other," Coen said. "With the O-line, it's so imperative that they play as one and communicate as one and I think that they've done a nice job of that so far from a targeting standpoint, making sure that we're on the right IDs and with the protections.
"I thought they did a nice job [Monday] as well protecting the quarterback. So, I've been pleased. It's still a work in progress, but pleased so far."
Hainsey, who played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season when Coen served there as offensive coordinator, said the time needed for a line to play "as one" can vary.
"Every day we'll be taking steps forward," Hainsey said. "We haven't played a game together yet, so whenever we get that opportunity, that will present a whole new set of things to work on. So far in practice, we've been moving one day at a time, one play at a time, just learning what each other likes, how we do things, how we operate together.
"Those are the kind of things that on an offensive line will grow and allow us to play seamlessly as five guys looking through one set of eyes."
The Jaguars enter '25 camp focused on improving a run game that ranked 26th in the NFL in 2024. The area also struggled in short-yardage situation in recent seasons. The Buccaneers last season in Coen's lone season as coordinator ranked fourth in the NFL after ranking 32nd – last – in 2023.
"It takes everyone to run the football, especially on offense," Hainsey said. "It's not just the coaches, it's not just the scheme, it's not just the players. It's everything working in conjunction. I do see that here. I see that being the calling card. They're emphasizing it.
"That's what they want this offense to be because it's important in any offense, but this one specifically, to be able to run the ball to set up everything else, the play action and the pass. I see a lot of similarities between how we transitioned in Tampa and how they're transitioning now.
Extreme heat warning 🔥 Check out Jaguars players and coaches on field during Day 5 of Training Camp at Miller Electric Center. 🏈
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (88) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig (32) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma (48), defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41), defensive end Travon Walker (44), defensive lineman Arik Armstead (91) and defensive lineman B.J. Green II (95) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive back Caleb Ransaw (27) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown (5) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive back Caleb Ransaw (27) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive line position group during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Wolford (18) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis (2), Tyson Campbell (3) and Jarrian Jones (22) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Keivie Rose (97) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Ethan Downs (96) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Wyatt Milum (64) and Fred Johnson (74) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown (5) and wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Eli Pancol (10) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Seth Henigan (19) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end John Copenhaver (43) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (80) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown (5) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Fortner (79) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver J.J. Jones (87) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver J.J. Jones (87) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (73) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dorian Singer (13) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Jack Kiser (54) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and head coach Liam Coen during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Eli Pancol (10) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (88) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (73) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (80) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (88) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight ends coach Richard Angulo during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (36) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Walker Little (72) and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Quintin Morris (45) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receivers during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter (12) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman B.J. Green II during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Hunter Long (84) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Fred Johnson (74) and offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receivers during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman B.J. Green II during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Tyler Lacy (93) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Quintin Morris (45) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown (5) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during training camp at the Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2025.
"It kind of feels the same and this is the best I can describe it. That's a positive thing for me. That's exciting because it was a lot of fun to watch that run game grow."
And while Coen said the Jaguars won't know for sure the progress being made in the run game for several weeks – perhaps longer – he said the growth thus far is encouraging.
"I think, ultimately, you need to be in a game," Coen said. "We're not playing tackle, so you don't know when a ball breaks to the second level. Are we going to make that safety or corner miss or are we going to get tackled?
"That's ultimately what you don't know, but I think you can look at the combinations upfront, the communication, our tracks, the fundamentals and techniques in which we're approaching it at and see some improvement."
QUOTABLE
- Hainsey: "The beginning of camp is interesting because you keep progressing and progressing, and the days get a little bit harder and a little bit harder and you throw pads on, and the days get longer and longer. And then once you get in it, you're kind of just in it, focusing. So far, these first five days have been great."
