JACKSONVILLE – The overall vibe he feels gives him a good feeling.
Josh Hines-Allen likes a lot about the 2025 Jaguars. The veteran defensive end likes the leadership. He likes the talent. He likes the professionalism.
But mostly …
"What gives me confidence about 2025 is the confidence every single guy brings every single day," he said.
Hines-Allen, the Jaguars' seventh-year defensive end and '25 team captain, joined senior writer John Oehser for this 2025 Week 1 O-Zone Podcast. He discussed multiple topics, including the recent news that his seven-year-old son, Wesley, is in remission after being diagnosed with leukemia early in 2025.
"God has played the way it was supposed to be played," Hines-Allen said. "We ring the ball right before the season starts. It was like, 'Meant to be.' He had all my attention in the offseason, then he started to get better toward the months where I had to dive back into training.
"When he got to go home [from the hospital], I started training a little more. Once he got better and was able to go back to school, I left to get my treatment. I came back and he's progressing and getting better and better. Now, he rings the bell right before the season.
"We're still dealing with it. He's in remission. He still has to see the doctor every month. But to not have that panic button always pressed, I can focus on Josh The Football Player when I step on the field. I'm so thankful to God for putting us in that situation."
Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment 🔔
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — The Hines-Allen family pose for a photo in celebration of the end of Wesley's cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Wesley, son of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen rings the bell to celebrate the end of his cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Wesley, son of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen rings the bell to celebrate the end of his cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn (right) host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — At a press conference to celebrate the completion of his son's cancer treatment, Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets teammate Arik Armstead at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — At a press conference to celebrate the completion of his son's cancer treatment, Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets teammate Arik Armstead at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Julian (left) and Wesley (right), sons of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen celebrate the end of Wesley's cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Julian (left) and Wesley (right), sons of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen celebrate the end of Wesley's cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn (left) host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets his family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets his family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets his family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets his family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn (left) host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets his family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Kaitlyn, wife of jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen celebrates with their son Wesley at a press conference at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Josh Hines-Allen, wife Kaitlyn, son Wesley and staff of Nemours Children's Health at a press conference to celebrate the end of Wesley's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Josh Hines-Allen, wife Kaitlyn, and their son Wesley at a press conference at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Josh Hines-Allen, wife Kaitlyn, and their son Wesley at a press conference at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Josh Hines-Allen, wife Kaitlyn, and their son Wesley at a press conference at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Julian (left) and Wesley (right), sons of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen celebrate the end of Wesley's cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets his family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen greets family at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Wesley, son of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen celebrates the end of his cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and his wife Kaitlyn host a press conference at Nemours Children's Health to celebrate the end of their son's cancer treatment on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Wesley, son of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen celebrates the end of his cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — The Hines-Allen family pose for a photo in celebration of the end of Wesley's cancer treatment at Nemours Children's Health on August 26, 2025.
Allen, too, discussed on-field goals. He said his objective remains to be NFL Defensive Player of the Year and to lead the Jaguars to a Super Bowl title. He also enters the '25 season two sacks shy of the Jaguars' all-time sacks record.
The record is held by former Jaguars defensive end Tony Brackens, who registered 55 sacks from 1996-2003.
"Eventually, it's going to happen," Hines-Allen said. "I'm not going to say I'm tired of talking about it, but for me, I just want to be able to play fast and not force anything. I know it's there, but I want to play fast and play physical. When they run at me, I want to knock them in the mouth.
"That's going to allow me to play at an extra level and stay relentless. I may not win on my first rush, but I know if I can stay relentless and sustain this rush, maybe I get a sack."
Allen's primary focus as Sunday's regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers approaches is the Jaguars as a team – and he very much likes the team's mindset, approach and makeup as he prepares for his seventh regular-season opener.
"It's a challenge," Hines-Allen said. "I want to challenge myself every day to become a better player and to push myself. When you see other guys doing the same thing, you have to match that intensity. Then you have guys holding you accountability when you're not doing it.
"You start to realize, 'I'm surrounded by guys who are real dudes and who play at a high level all the time, who get pissed when a play gets made on them.' That's the type of energy, vibe and people I want to surround myself with.
"We have had that and now we keep adding more of those pieces at different levels. It's cool to see."
To listen to the entire O-Zone Podcast with Hines-Allen, tune-in below. For more interviews on the O-Zone Podcast, click HERE.
