JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
GP from Savannah, GA
Brutal report by players and NFLPA about the Jags. "F" for treatment of family and "C" for head coach. Very surprised.
This perhaps would be disturbing were it true. It's absolutely not true, so it's not disturbing at all. The NFL Players Association Report Card for 2026 was reported Thursday, with the Jaguars overall ranked fifth in the NFL. The Jaguars received a "B+" for treatment of families and Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen received an "A-." The Jaguars in fact received As and B+s in the vast majority of categories, which in fact is not surprising at all for an organization as player-centric and well-run as the Jaguars are currently.
Nathan from Santa Monica, CA
Hi, John. With our salary cap being limited compared to past years so we can't overspend to draw talent, do you think we might have issues signing free agents to some short-term deals when we don't have a home stadium in 2027?
First, there's no reason to stress about the Jaguars not having mega-salary cap room entering the 2026 offseason. I don't expect them to lose core players at core positions and you don't want to be playing in the deep, expensive free-agency waters every offseason anyway. We're a full offseason and season from the 2027 free-agency period, so there's no way to remotely know the Jaguars' free-agency approach for that offseason. But the Jaguars are a good team. They're becoming an organization for which players want to play. I don't expect them to have major problems signing free agents next offseason if they so desire.
Jay from the Burg, FL
Define a team owner and city. Wins and championships are a good place to start. But how are you remembered? How are you respected in the NFL? The Super Bowl is the ultimate goal. That's what everyone plays for. That is what matters. Quarterback Peyton Manning in 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts won seven AFC South championships, two AFC Championships and one Super Bowl. There is nothing as a Jaguar fan I would enjoy more than seeing Jaguars win a Super Bowl. But to make an owner and city relevant, to be remembered and respected as Jaguars, that work is forged in the AFC South championship.
You enter every season focused on winning your division. You try to do that and be as healthy as possible entering the postseason. You hope you're healthy and get the right matchups in the postseason. If you do that consistently, you have a chance to make the Super Bowl and win it if you stay healthy – and make some big plays at big times in the postseason. Winning divisions indeed is the foundation. The Jaguars have won one consecutive division title. The idea is to add to that streak.
Richard from Ponte Vedra, FL
Maybe there's more to the O-Zone – a.k.a., King of All Funk; a.k.a., Mr. Bullet Bob; a.k.a., Mayor of Strings, a.k.a., Doctor O – than meets the eye?
No, there's less.
Yeti Daddy from Somewhere and Yet Nowhere
I know the NFL Scouting Combine and the way the Jaguars' coaching staff are handling it is a cause for concern for some, but I see their point. But isn't the combine also a place where staffs get a feel for trade possibilities, free agents and real takes on players from coaches, like it is a big swap meet?
There's a swap-meet element to the NFL Scouting Combine and you do see general managers, personnel officials and other very important football people talking in hallways quite often there. There's little question trade possibilities – and free-agent possibilities – get discussed with quiet nods and tacit understandings about what might happen at the March 11 start of the NFL League Year. But personnel staffs and general managers don't have to haunt Indianapolis hallways in late February to be tied in and knowledgeable about league goings on. Remember: Most if not all these general managers and agents have phones – smart ones. In this crazy technological age, most if not all these phones have text messaging. They even the ability to allow people to one another with real voices. NFL information can be exchanged by other means than face-to-face conversations in downtown Indianapolis.
Fred from Naples, FL
Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union seems to think that the Jaguars' front office should have held a press conference to fully explain their decision not to attend the combine this year in Indy. Is there really a need to explain their decision. He seemed to imply that all the local media were outraged at this decision. Does a 13-4 record not buy you any goodwill? What is your take on the front office not publicly stating their reasons for not attending?
Media like to be outraged. I often have been outraged in life – and I often have been outraged as a member of the local media. I always want to hear from General Manager James Gladstone and Coen, and I almost always am going to want them to speak given the chance. Football people don't always agree with this, so football people don't always hold media availabilities exactly when media wants. This feels less outrageous than it does like a topic that will pass soon enough. Stay tuned.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
What do you consider the foundation of the offensive line? Curious who you see it being. I agree it feels stable, and also agree it can and will be improved.
If by "foundation" you mean players who I am absolutely sure will form the core of the Jaguars' offensive line for five seasons, I don't know if we know for sure. Right tackle Anton Harrison is a candidate to be such a player and left tackle Cole Van Lanen seems likely to start for the Jaguars for a while. I'm not sure anyone else is close to a lock – mainly because of age and experience. The Jaguars believe guard Wyatt Milum can be a long-term starter, as can center Jonah Monheim. They could eventually be foundation pieces. You don't automatically build an entire foundation in Year One. The Jaguars will continue working toward this.
JADON from RALEIGH
I assumed after hearing us and Washington would host games in London, that we may play each other over there. Seeing as both teams are technically hosting games though (us twice, them once), that is not a possible scenario?
No, it is not.
Nick from Virginia Beach
Why does the rule apply to the Jaguars when they already give up one home game a year? Doesn't seem fair to be punished twice.
You're referencing the Jaguars – like the rest of the NFL's 32 teams – having to play an international game every four seasons as part of a league initiative. They indeed must do this even though they already play a game in London every season. This is the case because the league doesn't see playing in London as a punishment. They particularly don't see the Jaguars playing in London as a punishment. It's the Jaguars' choice to play every season in London. They do this for the brand recognition, to have a presence in London and for revenue. The league therefore sees that agreement as separate from the one under which teams must play internationally every four years.
Brad from Yankton, SD
It seems like the Jaguars are always on the road. Understand the pain for gain with the stadium construction. The annual London game does put them on the road a lot. I guess you have to admire Coach Coen in how he handled the road games last year. His challenge will be even bigger the next two years.
It seems the Jaguars are on the road a lot because if you count the London game as a road game they are on the road more than most teams. The league and the Jaguars don't consider the London Wembley game a road game. The Jaguars in Coen's first season with the team handled road games well. Good teams usually do because good teams win whether they are on the road or at home. The coming two seasons will be challenging in this vein. That was inevitable during the time when EverBank Stadium is being renovated into the Stadium of the Future.
Steve from Hilton Head, SC
John, Is Gary from St. Augustine a pseudonym for Gene Frenette?
You can't prove that.
Brad from Yankton, SD
Atlas Air is smiling this season- 11 road games!
The Jaguars will play nine regular-season road games, six home games in Jacksonville and two home games in London – one at Wembley Stadium and one at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Chris from Mandarin
I have to admit I was disappointed by the ending question to Thursday's Ozone. After seeing the title, I thought it was a Frank Zappa reference, but alas. The beat goes on and I'm so wrong,
Alas, disappointment is good for you. Builds character.
