JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Michael from Middleburg, FL

I realize it's preseason, but the defense doesn't look any different or better.

You're correct that the Jaguars' front-line defense did not look good in a 31-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 preseason opener at EverBank Stadium Saturday. If the starters had played more than one series, or if this was early October rather than early August – and if this wasn't the unit's first real action in a new scheme – this could be considered cause for concern. Because the starters played one series and because this is August and because this essentially was practice, this should be considered a storyline. Nothing more.

Nick from Palm Coast, FL

Mr. O, where was the pass rush Saturday? If this is all we can muster against second-team offense, WE ARE IN FOR A LONG SEASON.

The Jaguars' starting defense played nine plays Saturday. It did not play as well as would be ideal in those nine plays. If the defense plays like that all season, it will be a long season. It's fair to expect more. It's just as fair to remember that the starting defense played nine plays.

Henry from Florahome

Is Campbell slightly past his prime or do you think he is still getting better?

Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell is entering his fifth NFL season. He is in his prime.

Rob from Orange Park, FL

Glad we lost since winning all the preseason games is the kiss of death for this team.

Winning preseason games or losing them is not an indication either way of what the regular season will bring. This doesn't stop people from believing otherwise.

Bob from Coosawatchie, SC

I don't recall Trevor ever looking more comfortable or accurate throwing over the middle of the field.

I felt encouraged about Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after his series against the Steelers. I didn't feel encouraged to the point that the Pro Football Hall of Fame should start planning a bust, but he showed good things coaches wanted to see in that series.

Ed from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Why do other quarterbacks including backups look better than Lawrence?

The blanket, general, assumptive premise of this question isn't correct.

Michael from Middleburg, FL

O, What the heck? Trev looking like the same guy as last year and now we're going in Year 4 of him having the rookie jitters. At some point the man in charge (Jaguars Owner Shad Khan) needs to put his hand to his chin, stroke his chin and think hmmm.

We were evidently watching different preseason openers. That fine. It happens from time to time.

Derek from Brookings, SD

That would've been good from 74, whoa!!

Jaguars kicker Cam Little converted a 70-yard field goal at the end of Saturday's first half. The kick would have broken Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker's record for the longest field goal in NFL history by four yards had it been the regular season. And it indeed could have been good from 73 or 74 yards. It was "quite the kick."

Brendan from The Banana Patch

Was that lackluster defensive performance a product of vanilla play-calling?

On the one series? Maybe a little. More likely it was the result of cornerbacks playing a little too off in coverage. I'm sure coaches will look at those nine plays and adjust.

Don from Marshall, NC

It's always easy to forget preseason games but I will never forget watching a 70-yard field goal! Truly Amazing! One for Cam! Go Jaguars!

When it comes to relishing in a remarkable thing that indeed won't be forgotten by anyone who saw it Don remains resiliently and reliably, "all in."

Troy from Dover, PA

Where is Don? Is he not "all in" this year or have you banned him?

You don't ban a "Don." You respect him and hope he continues to bless you with his presence.

Nick from Annapolis, MD

Wow. Not much else to say about the 70-yarder than that. Does Cam making that put more pressure on practicing field-goal return coverage? How much does that get practiced anyway?

I do expect the Jaguars might try a few more looooong field goals than usual moving forward. That would seem reasonable after coaches saw in real time that Little is very capable of converting from at or near 70 yards. That in turn indeed could mean a few more situations when opponents can return missed field goals. My guess is special teams coordinator Heath Farwell will spend a bit more time emphasizing the possibility in meetings. I don't know that it adds significant pressure or practice time for the area.

Michael from Mean Streets of Arlington

Well Cam made a 70-yard field goal. Guess that's the end of being nice.

What?

Judson from Jacksonville Beach

Zone, Does Mullens have the weakest arm in Jags history? He puts everything into throwing a 25-yard pass. Is the team in trouble backup wise?

Jaguars backup quarterback Nick Mullens doesn't have the strongest arm I've ever seen. He's a backup quarterback. I don't think he has the weakest arm in franchise history. I don't think the Jaguars are in any more trouble than most teams if their backup quarterback plays extensively.

Cliff from ORANGE PARK, FL

I know, I know … trade machine. But with all the uncertainty at defensive tackle and riches at running back, might there be a running back-needy team with an abundance of good defensive tackles that might be interested in, say, Travis Etienne Jr.?

It would be very tricky trying to get a front-line defensive tackle in a trade for a running back because tackle is considered a more valuable position. I would be veeeeeeeery surprised at this point if the Jaguars trade running back Travis Etienne Jr.

Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX

KOAF: You say to be nice so I will be. Thank God Urban Meyer in his tenure as a Jaguars head coach installed "slider kill" into the Jaguars playbook. Without that we don't get to see a 70 yard field goal.

I think they would have been OK either way.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

Spotlighting Travis Hunter after the first glimpse of game action, Herm said "He's not going to play 70 snaps a game, that's ridiculous. He can't physically do that." Do you think there will be a snap count on him to start? I'm just wondering if the team thinks a bit differently about his limitations than the ol coach Herm.

There seem to be as many thoughts and questions regarding Hunter as there are analysts with little insight into the Jaguars' plans. The plan is for Hunter to play extensively in essentially a starting role at wide receiver at the beginning of his career and to play cornerback extensively – but more situationally at the beginning of his career. If/when Hunter is ready, I expect the Jaguars to give him a chance to play more defensively. That's it, Bania. That's the meal.

John from Jax

Hi, KOAGF. First, I'm happy the Jags lost. We'll now have a better regular season. Second, the 70-yard field goal is a blueprint on what to do at the end of the half when at midfield. Stop the long futile passes to end the half and go for three points. The percentage of success has to be a Little or a lot better.

I expect the Jaguars to try more long field goals from a slightly longer distance after Saturday than I expected before Saturday.

J.Hooks from Orange Park, FL

Gotta love a coach who lets his players have some fun. I don't see former Head Coach Doug Pederson letting Cam try that 70-yarder. I could be wrong. I did notice the offense attacking the middle of the field a lot more than in the past. I don't recall seeing that from Lawrence in the past few years. Is this a correct evaluation?

Seemingly.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL

A couple of times during the broadcast Bucky Brooks mentioned the defense would be more 'bend don't break' than last year. I found this confusing, and hope you can set me straight. I thought I have been hearing through camp about the defense being more aggressive and attacking, which seems inconsistent with Bucky's comments. Also: Last year the defense seemed to break more than bend. In that sense Bucky's representation would be an upgrade, but I am not sure that's the point. Can you reconcile this for me?

The Jaguars' defense under new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile will play more zone in the back seven than was the case last season, when they played primarily man-to-man coverage under then-coordinator Ryan Nielsen. When teams play zone, defensive backs are typically a bit more off receivers and looking at the ball – i.e., "bending" a little more at times, not "breaking" by giving up big plays. And yes … primary goals defensively this season are to "break" less and force more turnovers. It would be hard to break more and force fewer turnovers than the Jaguars' defense did in 2024.