JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Steve from St. Augustine, FL

Do you agree that this is a perfect time for Trevor to ask for a pay raise? Of course, some of the other starters might also do the same.

Your question suggests that quarterback Trevor Lawrence and other starters should ask for more money because the Jaguars lost to the Carolina Panthers, 34-17, in a 2026 Preseason Week 2 game at EverBank Stadium Friday while playing mostly backups and young players. Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension in June 2024. A lot of other Jaguars starters also make a lot of money. The Jaguars knew these players were good – better than backups – when they signed them to big contacts. This means that backups not being as good as the starters isn't a surprise. It's also not a reason to panic. It's certainly not a reason for Lawrence to say, "Hey, look. I'm better than the backups and reserves, so I should be paid more." Preseason games are often sloppy. Teams lose in ways they wouldn't normally lose – and win in ways they might not normally win – in preseason. This is not exclusive to the Jaguars. It's not new. It's a yearly happening. Some of us seem to forget this every year. Or maybe they just don't pay close enough attention to realize it. Either way, this is a ripple. Or not even. It's just how the NFL works. Period.

Tom from Moncks Corner

Preseason games are meant to be tools to evaluate "backup" talent. I understand that. But not one pass breakup and allowing a 90 percent completion rate shows that there is more to be concerned about in the secondary that we have been led to believe. Hopefully, reasonable support will come after cutdowns. Hope is that the Jags starters have an injury-free season.

Friday does not at all show that there is more to be concerned about in the secondary than anyone has been "led to believe." Cornerback Montaric Brown, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, cornerback Jarrian Jones, cornerback Travis Hunter, safety Antonio Johnson and safety Eric Murray did not play in that game. Neither did ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. If those eight players are not playing for the Jaguars this season, the secondary has some concerns. If eight similar players aren't playing for any of the other 31 teams, those teams' secondaries will have some concerns.

Jimsure from DBS

I laugh every time I see fans flip out over preseason games and predict a horrible year. I remember years when we won every preseason game and had a terrible season. Chill out, guys.

The jelly of the month club has nothing on preseason fan reaction when it comes to gifts that keep on giving.

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. So far Ameer Abdullah and J'mari Taylor have had some good preseason performances. Seems like the running back position is getting a bit crowded? What's your latest prediction for the running back position? Can we assume Chris Rodriguez Jr., Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen are a lock?

I see no way Rodriguez, Tuten and Allen aren't on the 53-player regular season roster if all three are healthy. I have said for weeks I believe Taylor will be on the practice squad with a chance to contribute significantly. Abdullah has practiced well enough – and he played well enough Friday – to force his way into some serious discussions in the coming days and weeks. Finding a spot on the regular-season roster may be tricky, but sometimes players perform well enough to force teams to work hard to find a way to do things. Abdullah may be doing just that.

Scott from Gilbert, AZ

Not a whole lot to talk about after the Panthers "game," other than the clear and evident talent disparity between guys who will have jobs in the NFL after next week and those that won't. And, as much as UFL games are typically more competitive with better assignment responsibility and unit cohesion than what we had to sit through on Friday, you have to remind yourself that the roughly 700 players who won't make an NFL 53 or practice squad were nonetheless in the top 95 percent amongst their college peers to even get invited to a camp. All the best for their careers moving forward selling insurance, as plumbers, driving an Amazon truck, or whatever. But September 13 cannot get here quickly enough for me!

If you're not watching closely, and sometimes even if you are, it's easy to confuse preseason football with few – if any starters – and the real thing. The uniforms, after all, are familiar and the games are on television – and as we well know, anything that is On Television is Very Important. But the difference in preseason games without starters – and sometimes even with – is all the difference in the world. Are there players playing in these games who can play in the NFL? Of course. But the overall level is far below what we see during the regular season.

Fred from Naples, FL

It's going to be interesting to see who makes the practice squad and who gets cut between Joey Aguilar and Carter Bradley. For sentimental reasons, I am rooting for Bradley to make it to the practice squad again, but he didn't help himself any with his performance on Friday night. Running to his right and throwing against his body to the middle of the field is just a huge no-no. In my opinion Aguilar helped himself a lot against the Panthers.

OK.

Lawrence from Blair

How do you find that fire as a new fan? The Hunt. Personally, I find the show this preseason less interesting than the previous ones but that's likely just because there's far less "newness" around the team than last year. Either way, watching The Hunt with me picked up two new Jaguars fans last year. Pretty good stuff. They set the bar on NFL content, I feel.

The Hunt indeed is cool. People like it. I feel like we should promote it more around here, though. It doesn't seem like there's enough time and energy spent on this. Does our social team not know about it?

Dave from L.A.

Preseason week three is a MUST WIN. Lose this one and we might as well start talking draft.

Good eye.

JAY from THE BURG FL.

I've got a tip for Dag our Great! New fan from Norway. You want to really feel the fire? When the Jags score or get a sack, stand up and scream out Duuuvalll! Your family now brother. Represent!!! Insert smiley face here.

Good advice.

Michael from Fruit Cove, FL

I think you have supported keeping preseason games in past seasons. I've always been all for getting rid of them entirely and you seem to be moving in my direction. You have been telling fans to relax because it's preseason and the games don't count and the players are all backups or won't even be on the roster. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen's only goal for these games seems to be to not let any actual players get hurt. So why do we even have the games? Basically. every team seems to agree that joint practices are better preparation for the season. My guess is they could replace the actual games with another joint practice or two and be able to decide the last few roster spots just fine. What's the point of these preseason games???

I wouldn't say it's true that "basically every team" seems to agree that joint practices are better preparation for the season than preseason games – as evidenced by many teams playing starters in one or more games this NFL preseason. Preseason games have a role. They're quality evaluation for young players and players trying to make rosters. As such, I always have felt that they should remain and I believe they matter to teams trying to prepare for season. As for why fans should care about them or watch them … I have no idea.

Doug from Jacksonville

Regarding Nicholas from Fort Hood, Texas asking about the Cowboys, Giants and Jets chants: if you are comparing them to the Jags, the Cowboys fans would chant Tarrant and the Jets/Giants fans would chant Bergen. Not nearly as cool as our county: Duval.

Very little is.

Pro St. Jaymz from Clifton Co.

Hi, John. Longtime reader, first time writing. This is not so much a question as it is a statement for Mark of Boston, MA. I myself am a longtime Jaguars fan (since 1996), and happen to live in Mesa County, Colo. You had better believe all the Broncos fans at work are completely sick and tired of hearing Duuuval! Come Week 2 of the regular season, they are in for it again. You better believe me! I guess the point I'm trying to make is it's not necessarily where you reside, Duuuval is what resides in the heart of all of us Jags fans!

Damn straight.