JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
DMiz from Jagsonville
I know this has been beaten to death, but I just watched the opening and subsequent videos of TLaw getting his hair cut and I have to say that our management has brought an entirely new level of FUN to this team. Yes, winning is cool and fans love winning. That is obvious. What is different is the level of entertainment and engagement of players and management. This is different and it is soooo much more fun!!!
This Jaguars regime of Head Coach Liam Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli indeed embraces fun to the extent that it makes sense. There absolutely is a tone within many of the team's actions of understanding that the NFL is entertainment – and with that in mind, this regime tries to be as transparent and as engaging as possible with the caveat that that fun must not remotely interfere with winning. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence's recent "haircut" as part of the Jaguars' 2026 schedule-release video without question fits into that approach nicely. Perhaps the biggest reason this regime and team is perceived as fun and engaging is the age-old truth, one you mentioned in passing in your email. Winning is cool. Fans like it. If a regime does it, it can make things very fun for fans. If it's not winning, things get unfun very quickly.
Steve At Work at the Beach from Jax
Listening to local sports talk recently and the hypothetical question came up: "What one Jaguar in his prime would add to this team for one year for the most improvement?" It was a predictable list with Boselli (left tackle), defensive tackles Marcus Stroud/John Henderson, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, wide receiver Jimmy Smith and running back Fred Taylor along with a few others. It was generally agreed that an interior defensive lineman would make the most impact and the offensive side was generally dismissed! I feel old because I have finally lived long enough that people have lost touch at how dominant Taylor was in his prime. Put on the Monday night Steelers game for the new staff. I would wager that if you asked the braintrust that they would lean towards Fred. I think he would elevate this offense to the moon in ANY era. Am I delusional?
All aforementioned players were either Pro Football Hall of Fame-level players or players who spent multiple seasons among the NFL's best at their position. All therefore are legitimate answers. I suppose I agree with most here and lean toward Stroud/Henderson, because more disruption at defensive tackle would be a big positive for the defense. Would Coen love adding a running back with Taylor's ability to this already potent offense? There is little question about that. He was an elite talent regardless of era.
Chris from Mandarin
Friendly reminder from the mouth of Tywin Lannister … any man that must say I am the king is no true king.
I am the king of all funk.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. Funny how old topics resurface from time to time. With regards to the fourth-down attempt failure against the Bills, we have to remember what happened after that. Our defense was unable to stop the Bills from driving 90-plus yards for a touchdown. This was a minor detail that gets less attention on that topic. On another past topic, when can we expect to see the Culligan girl back?
You have touched on perhaps the biggest overlooked point in this discussion. To review: Coen's decision to go for a first down on fourth-and-2 from the Buffalo Bills' 9-yard line in the second quarter of a Wild Card loss this past January remains a hot topic. Lawrence was stopped inches short of the first down on the play and instead of the Jaguars taking a 14-3 lead with a touchdown, the Bills drove for a touchdown and a 10-7 lead in what became a 27-24 Bills victory. But while the Bills' ensuing drive for a touchdown rarely is part of the public discussion, that in no way was a minor detail. A huge reason the decision to go for a first down in that situation was widely considered a "no-brainer" is the percentages involved say you are supposed to stop the opponent and get the ball back in decent field position. You certainly don't expect the decision to cost you seven points and to swing the momentum to the extent that it did. If you knew in advance you would not make the first down and that you would allow the touchdown drive you would not go for the first down. That's why they play the games.
JAY from THE BURG, FL
Some players are better at certain things than others. Fourth and short is tough. Quarterback Tom Brady and running back Marcus Allen were probably the best to ever do it and last. They just had a feel for it. They made it look so easy. It is risky and coaches are always trying to find that edge. The tush push, read option and superman stretch come to mind. Bills quarterback Josh Allen went for it a lot in the red zone on the goal line in that game against the Jaguars last season. He won the game, but he was beat up. And probably a centimeter away from getting his leg broke. The Jaguars' defense knocked a lot of quarterbacks out of the game and/or the season last year. Not because they were cheap shots but because they were playing at an extremely high level. Coach Coen is smart. He can pivot, but he is not going to back up. He is going to want that yard. Why? Because as a team you have to have it. And as a team you have to go get it. It is every player's job to want the ball. Therein lies the edge ... great coaches play on to win.
Coen since taking over as Jaguars head coach has been consistent and transparent that he believes strongly that the offense must be able to convert on reasonable fourth downs in important situations. He wants this to be a part of the Jaguars' identity. He spoke last season about making sure players understood this and about this being core to the team's approach. He has never wavered from this, and I can't imagine this changing.
Robert from Elkton
Zone, seems we are in a period for questions on Jaguars history, so here is mine. What position group has had the most consistency at high-quality players? For me, it is hands down no-question about it: linebackers. I think we have lived through dry spells at every other position, but somehow, we have been blessed with an incredibly long run of at least one excellent linebacker in the group.
Linebacker's up there.
Jadon from NC State
Who is the best player in franchise history to wear No. 24 for the team?
Possibilities here include cornerback Will Blackmon (2013-2014), safety Harry Colon (1995), running back Snoop Conner (2022), running back Chris Howard (1998-2000), running back Carlos Hyde (2021), running back Montell Owens (2006-2012), cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas (2003-2004) and running back T.J. Yeldon (2015-2018). Owens was one of the NFL's best special teams players while he played, which probably makes him the choice.
Don from Marshall, NC
The Jaguars better not let their guard down. Robert Saleh has removed the seed oil from his facility. This is starting to get serious! Go Jaguars!
When it comes to keeping tabs on former Jaguars linebackers coach and current Tennessee Titans Head Coach Robert Saleh's dietary preferences – and making me smile while he's at it – Don remains "all in."
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
"You don't giggle about the concentration-line" was pretty funny.
Tee hee.
Yeti Daddy from Somewhere and Yet Nowhere
Supreme ruler "O," you said, "I never have been around an organization that didn't have a workmanlike approach with attention to detail in the offseason." That makes perfect sense, no one gets up and says, "Today, I am going to suck at my job!" at least no sane person. Since this is true of all NFL teams and we know it is all about coaching until it is about players, until it is about plays, until it is about referees… What makes some teams more successful than others. What do we call that "It" factor. I am taking notes; your answer will solve all the issues for every team. Everyone Wins from here on!
Quarterback play. Defensive line play. Offensive line play. Talent. Poise. Playcalling when it is at its highest level. Ability to make plays in big moments. Health. Depth. Strong defense. Belief in organizational direction. A lot of other stuff.
John from Jacksonville
I asked AI which sportswriter has the longest streak of consecutive days answering fan questions. It mentioned these three as your primary competition: Peter Gammons, Neil Hornsby and Jeff Pearlman.
What's "competition?"
