JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
BKeepers from St. Augustine, FL
Hey, John. With Head Coach Liam Coen, defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and the front office all repeatedly emphasizing "identity," "physicality" and "we-above-me" this offseason, do you sense this Jaguars team is trying to become something fundamentally different than the talented-but-inconsistent teams of the last few years — or is this mostly the natural offseason optimism every regime talks about in May? And if it is different, what is the first real sign fans should look for in training camp that it is actually taking hold?
Offseason words can't assure fans that a theme is taking hold, just as nothing said or written in the offseason ensures on-field success. Jaguars observers and fans have heard and read enough optimistic offseason themes over the last decade and a half that they won't disagree. Still, the themes you mention – identity, physicality and we above me – absolutely do matter. This is not because Coen, Campanile and others around the organization are saying them. They matter because since the decision-making "regime" of Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli took over early in the 2025 offseason, the organization has been true to those words. They don't just say there's an identity of physicality and we above me, their actions have shown that that's the identity. They have drafted to that identity. They have signed free agents to that identity. They have made roster decisions based on that identity. They have played to that identity. The identity was the core and spine of a 13-4 AFC South Championship season in 2025 – and it will remain the core and spine of the organization moving forward. That doesn't guarantee future success. The NFL is not scripted television, so there are no guarantees. But it absolutely gives the Jaguars a very good chance of sustaining success moving forward, and it's why it makes sense to believe in the direction of the organization for the long term. How will you know if it's taking hold again? When you see it on the field in 2026, as I expect you will.
Steve from St. Johns
John. The most common phase you hear from rookies about the NFL is the speed of the game. Having been on the Jags sidelines once right before halftime and witnessing a kickoff, it's insane how fast the game moves. I am surprised there aren't injuries on every play. For players, the game seems to slow down and they adjust. For really good players, they start to anticipate based on experience and are a step ahead like Neo in the Matrix. Last year, Trevor Lawrence seemed to have evolved to that level. Is this just wishful thinking or has our quarterback become the one most thought he would be coming out of Clemson?
There absolutely is a point that front-line NFL quarterbacks reach when the game appears to slow down, and that they "get it" when it comes to seeing the field, making decisions, etc. Experience is usually the only way to get there. Lawrence in 2025 appeared to reach that level more consistently than in any of his first four NFL seasons – and the belief here is he is rapidly developing into one of the NFL's best players at his position. His task now is to continue to build on that. If he does this, I assume he will be what most thought he would become.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: In regards to schedule-making, the NFL has made a couple of good videos on all the considerations that go into the schedule to include streaks of away games, total miles travelled, time-zone changes, stadium events other than football, television broadcast rights, home games prior to traveling to play on a short week, compelling storylines, specific marquee games, coaches' preferences on when their bye week occurs and of course "making the most money." The computer will then run thousands of schedules and grade them with human eyes, reviewing the Top 10 or so schedules and making a decision. Gone are the days when humans made the schedule without computer help based on intuition and feel. There is a lot of work that goes into producing a fair enough schedule for all 32 teams. You get what you deserve in the NFL.
Yep.
Michael from Orange Park, FL
Who ya got at RG?
My Scooby Sense – and not my Scobee or Spidey Sense – tells me you are asking who I "got" at the 2026 French Open, which is now in its early stages at Roland-Garros in Paris. I'm not sure how anyone can predict anyone other than Jannik Sinner of Italy to win on the men's side. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, the only player who has consistently pushed Sinner in recent seasons, is out of the French and Wimbledon with a wrist injury – and Sinner has dominated in recent weeks and months at a level rarely seen. My hope was that my current favorite men's player, Daniil Medvedev, could find a way to push Sinner, but Medvedev lost in the first round Tuesday. So that's that. The women's draw is much more even, and my gut tells me Coco Gauff of the United States can find a way to win a second consecutive French title. One to watch: Nineteen-year-old Meera Andreeva – Mrs. O-Zone's favorite women's player – is really good on clay, has played well in the weeks leading to the French and may be ready to break through. Good stuff. Back to football.
Richard from Jacksonville
Quick. Where's the restroom?
Around back.
Mike from Cornelius Ingram's City (Hawthorne, FL)
Hey, Zone. Just a statement. Brenton Strange is a stud. That is all.
This Jaguars regime believes in toughness, physicality and doing things the right way. There are many players on the roster who embody this. From this view, two stand out. One is defensive end Travon Walker. The other is tight end Brenton Strange.
Brendan from Yulee
As a native of Yulee, I get a sense of nostalgia every time I pass the "Welcome to Yulee, Home of Derrick Henry" sign. Great memories of Friday nights long ago. There is zero regret and only appreciation for Derrick's accomplishments at Yulee and after.
Fair.
Yeti Daddy from Somewhere and Yet Nowhere
If you could spend one hour interviewing any past or present coach, who would it be? And what would your first question be?
Sid Gillman, because he essentially invented the modern passing game. First question: How's it going?
Andrew from Tampa, FL
Hi, Zone. Question about ticket sales. My understanding was that the upper 400 sections were taken down/closed for construction this year. However, when I go through the app to buy tickets those seats are for sale. Is this true?
The entire 400 level will be "offline" in 2026 because of ongoing construction and reduced capacity. Ticket information for the 2026 season at EverBank Stadium can be found here.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. As we start organized team activities, the Florida Times-Union wrote, "While many players are slotted as starters, there are several position groups that remain fluid. Those groups include safeties, running backs, tight ends, offensive line, linebacker and backup defensive end. There are several other positions where the depth will be challenged, particularly at wide receiver and corner." I mean, what's left other than quarterback that remains unchallenged, sounds like more than several? Other than tight end or safety, aren't we really just talking about maybe one spot per position at best? Am I reading this wrong, thinking the Jags roster is say 80 percent set?
The roster under this regime is never truly set because this regime emphasizes legitimate competition more than many teams I've been around. If you are projecting the so-called "final 53," I expect there won't be a wealth of surprises. But there will be some intriguing competitions/storylines in terms of depth and starters at positions such as offensive line and outside linebackers. These storylines may not be about who's "making the 53" as much as specific roles certain players will play.
Armand from Atlantic Beach, FL
John, thank you for keeping us informed about the Jaguars. Keep up the transparency.
I am the king of all funk.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who is the best player in Jaguars history to wear No. 27?
This is a relatively intriguing entry in this series at first glance, and possibilities include cornerback Vinnie Clark (1995-1996), cornerback Chris Claybrooks (2020-2022), cornerback Deon Figures (1997-1998), running back Leonard Fournette (2017-2019), cornerback Dwayne Gratz (2013-2016) and cornerback Rashean Mathis (2003-2012). It's "relatively" intriguing because Fournette was really, really good as a rookie in 2017 and it's hard to imagine the Jaguars reaching the AFC Championship Game that season without him. But one season doth not a career make, and Mathis was one of the best defensive players in franchise history. Easy choice: Mathis.
Jordan from Lincoln, NE
The GOAT! Rashean Mathis!
One fer Mathis.
