JACKSONVILLE – Real games are here at last.

Real preseason games are here, anyway – and for the Jaguars, the 2025 preseason that opens with a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at EverBank Stadium Saturday features multiple very real storylines.

This is the start of a new era, the Head Coach Liam Coen era, and Saturday marks the era's first game against another opponent.

"It's big," Coen said. "You don't know what you have ever [until games begin]. You really don't. You have a feel. You know what you're doing against each other. [But] it is different, to go through the pregame routine, to get into your routine of getting ready to go play a game, but also going and competing against somebody else."

👀 KEEP AN EYE ON THESE STORYLINES:

PLAYING TIME

• Coen plans to play all healthy players Sunday – including starters. "How long that is, we'll kind of determine [based] on how things are going," he said. "A lot of the guys want to play. You've got two new systems on both sides of the ball. Everything leans to it probably being the best thing for our team right now." Coen said he decided that this week after speaking with veterans such as center Robert Hainsey and quarterback Trevor Lawrence. "Those guys have a pulse so much more for what the locker room is than I do on a daily basis," Coen said. "That's just the reality. So, it was good to hear from those guys."

TREVOR TIME

• This is a meaningful preseason for Lawrence entering his fifth NFL season, his first in Coen's system. Lawrence spent the offseason not only learning that scheme, but working to learn and improve the footwork and mechanics necessarily to excel in it. He and coaches have spoken positively of his progress, and Lawrence has looked increasingly confident and efficient in practice. This will be his first work in the system against another opponent. "I think it does help," Lawrence said of playing in the preseason. "All offseason and all training camp, you can't get hit. Sometimes there's a different time clock in the pocket. You try to always play it real in practice, but sometimes you hang on to the ball and take a little bit more chances in the pocket because there are no consequences. When you're live, it's a little different. So, it's nice to feel the time clock sped up, to feel the communication with the whole offense, with the offensive line, protection. Just live full-speed reps, I think it's valuable."

T.H.E.

• Rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, is expected to play both offense and defense. He began camp practicing exclusively on one side of the ball or the other on given days before alternating in practices this past week. He has worked more on offense than defense, but is expected to play both Saturday. No NFL player has played as extensively on both offense and defense in nearly three decades.

THE OFFENSIVE SCHEME

• There's much to watch on this front Saturday, with the offense under Coen and first-year offensive coordinator Grant Udinski expected to emphasis revitalizing a running game that struggled in short-yardage situations in recent seasons. The offense has looked increasingly sharp during training camp, and a major preseason storyline will be how the team utilizes a talented group of receivers – Hunter, Dyami Brown and Brian Thomas Jr. – who have shown strong in training camp.

THE DEFENSIVE SCHEME

• There's much to watch here, too, with defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile installing a versatile scheme in his first season with the team and first season as an NFL coordinator. Look for Campanile's scheme to emphasize getting off blocks aggressively and stopping the run with a zone-based secondary – and with a focus on improving dramatically on the unit's league-low eight takeaways last season.

WHO'S OUT

• Not practicing this week:
  • Rookie linebacker Jalen McLeod (lower body)
  • Reserve offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (shoulder)
  • Rookie safety Caleb Ransaw (lower body)
  • Cornerback Montaric Brown (lower leg)
  • Defensive tackle Arik Armstead (back).
  • Second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith remains on the physically unable to perform list to start camp, with his injury undisclosed.

THE POSITION GROUPS

• Quarterback. Lawrence is the clear starter, with Nick Mullens signed in March as an unrestricted free agent to be the backup. That duo likely will share most significant preseason playing time.
• Running back. This is a deep group with veterans Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. listed as co-starters. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten, Ja'Quinden Jackson and LeQuint Allen Jr. all could make the final roster. Keep an eye on Allen and Jackson, who have stood out in camp practices with Etienne.
• Wide receiver. This is shaping up as perhaps the most-talented, potent group on the roster with Brown, Thomas Jr. and Hunter all capable of straining defenses. Third-year veteran Parker Washington is essentially locked in as the No. 4 receiver. First-year veteran Joshua Cephus has had a strong camp, but there is significant competition for the No. 5 receiver position – where special teams ability typically weighs heavily on roster decisions.
• Tight end. Brenton Strange is the clear top player here, and the Jaguars like this room beyond Strange with Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt experienced veterans who signed as unrestricted free agents this past offseason. Long has impressed in recent practices.
• Offensive line. This is perhaps the Jaguars' major preseason storyline, with multiple offensive linemen playing multiple positions – and with 2025 free agents Patrick Mekari and Chuma Edoga currently co-starters on the depth chart. Fred Johnson was signed as a free agent to compete at left tackle with Walker Little, and multiple players – including right tackle Anton Harrison and Mekari – have worked at multiple spots. Depth behind the starters will be key, and look for rookies such as guard Wyatt Milum and center Jonah Monheim to get extensive preseason snaps.
• Defensive line. This will be an intriguing area in the coming weeks. While Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen make end the premier position on this defense, two of the projected top three tackles – Smith and Armstead – won't play Saturday. Look for nose tackle DaVon Hamiltonand multiple reserve tackles – including third-year veteran Tyler Lacy – Saturday, and also keep an eye on reserve ends such as Dawuane Smoot and Emmanuel Ogbah Both could play key roles this season.
• Linebacker. Competition reigns here, particularly at the backup positions. Veteran Foyesade Oluokun is the unquestioned leader here, and fourth-year veteran Devin Lloyd – the No. 27 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft – appears to be having a strong camp.
• Cornerback. All eyes have been on Hunter throughout training camp, and that will continue to be the case Saturday. But the best defensive back in camp has been veteran Jourdan Lewis who seemingly makes a big play in every practice. Look for how extensively Hunter plays early, but watch the veteran Lewis, too.
• Safety. This is a position to watch early Saturday, with both Andrew Wingard and/or Antonio Johnson co-starters at one safety and Darnell Savage and/or Eric Murray co-starters at the other. Wingard and Murray may have the edge, but Savage is a veteran presence and Johnson – a third-year veteran – has impressed enough that he likely will have a role somewhere in some defensive package.