JACKSONVILLE – This isn't just a statistic. It's decidedly a trend.

The Jaguars are taking the football away from opponents this season. A lot. And when it happens as much as it's happening, Dennis Gardeck said it's no longer something that just happens to be happening.

It has become what the Jaguars' defense is about.

"It's who we are," Gardeck said.

Gardeck, a veteran linebacker who signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason, forced a second-quarter fumble this past Sunday that led to a touchdown. That was 1 of 4 takeaways in a 26-21 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., with those 4 takeaways continuing what has been a season-defining takeaway trend for the Jaguars.

"It's not just happening, it's something we work at," Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen said. "These guys are being intentional about the way they're practicing and the way they're holding each other accountable every day in practice in order to make sure that is getting seen on the tape.

"I don't know how long it will last, but it's pretty cool to see right now."

The Jaguars, after producing a league-low 9 takeaways in 2024 – including 8 on defense – lead the NFL with 13 turnovers forced this season. They have produced at least 3 takeaways in each game, including three in each of the first three games of the season.

"It's something that [defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile] has talked about from Day 1," Gardeck said. "I've been a part of a lot of defenses that talk about taking the ball away because it is such an important factor. But I think when it's who you are as a defense, then it's going to show up even more.

"It's exciting that it is showing up. That is something that is a calling card for the Jaguars defense, and it's exciting to be a part of."

Gardeck called the 13 takeaways "incredible," praising fourth-year linebacker Devin Lloyd – who had 2 interceptions Sunday with 3 for the season – as "a football magnet."

"It's so cool to see him have success," Gardeck said. "Campy says, 'God rewards those that run to the football. The effort everybody is putting in into each week and seeing it show up in those kind of situations is cool to see."

Gardeck, asked if the Jaguars could maintain their takeaway pace, said, "That's the plan."

"I can't predict anything," he said. "We'll stay on our fundamentals and technique and see where that gets us."

The Jaguars' franchise record for takeaways in a season is 33 in 2017, and they produced 30 in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2007. They made the postseason in all those seasons except 2000, when they were eliminated on the final week of the regular season.

"Everybody has it on their mind," Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun said. "Obviously, we're seeing how it affects the game, so it's really cool when everybody forced a turnover. One guy gets it, but it's the whole defense always having that mindset for the ball. We all celebrate 11 as one.

"They come in bunches, so let's keep them bunches coming. We could really do something special here."

NOTABLE

• Coen on Monday praised wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who caught a season-high 5 passes for 49 yards this past Sunday. Thomas, a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie in 2024, had struggled with drops for two games before Sunday. "Very pleased with BT's play," Coen said. "He was very good on the sidelines communicating what he was seeing, letting us know, 'Hey, I got the out, keep throwing it, it's there,' and made some big catches for us. He's playing faster and just looked more confident just overall. So, really good one for us to continue to build on."

QUOTABLE

• Coen on DE Josh Hines-Allen: "Josh is one of the first guys in our building every single day. This guy is playing right now at a very high level. He is affecting the game in both the run and the pass. He's playing with an edge. I'm just very happy with Josh right now, and it's only going this way (upwards motion) in my opinion. So, he went up against one of the best tackles in the National Football League (49ers left tackle Trent Williams) for a long time and probably played the best of many of the rushers that he has seen over the last four weeks, and he's impacting the game in a really positive way."