JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Dawg Pound from Cleveland, OH

Travis Hunter will need to do a lot to outplay his combined draft capital cost equating to defensive tackle Mason Graham, running back Quinshon Judkins and wide receiver K.C. Concepcion. I wonder if the timing of that trade coinciding with the team announcing that the fine people of Jacksonville would have to cover the cost of a billion-dollar stadium renovation makes you wonder whether that trade was about actual player value to owner Shad Khan and the Jags' front office or designed more for a downtrodden fan base to finally get their 15 minutes in the national media as a temporary distraction to them simply being told they would be footing that bill in lieu of a public vote?

The Jaguars traded with the Browns for the right to select Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft because they thought that was the best move for the team in terms of winning. I don't know how the Hunter trade ultimately will be judged, but I know it was not a "temporary distraction," nor did it have anything to do with the Stadium of the Future. This team's football decision-makers are about winning and all moves that have been made since they took over early in 2025 have been toward that objective. This is evidenced by a 13-4 record and an AFC South Championship in 2025. The idea of trading away the amount of draft capital the team traded for Hunter for "15 minutes in the national media" is so foreign to what Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen are about as to be laughable.

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. Coen said, "If you play a little bit more (man) coverage, your eyes are on the receiver, not the quarterback, and that's always the balance. It's like, 'Do you want to get more sacks and ball production in terms of challenging routes or do you want to sit there in a zone and get picked apart, but you're going to get some turnovers?' That's something we've been working through." … Does this mean more sacks are more important this season than turnovers? If so, why the change in philosophy? Thanks.

This is less about a dramatic change in philosophy than it is about coaches constantly making sure they're approaching seasons and games with the right balance. Remember: No team plays only man or only straight zone coverage in the NFL. If they did, offense would quickly exploit each system's inherent weaknesses. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile on this topic on Thursday: "The reality is we did a fair amount of it last year too, so there's not a wholesale difference. Every offseason you start looking at things, you're like, 'Hey, could we incorporate this? Could we incorporate that?' You're always trying to play to the skill set of your players."

Chris from Mandarin

I think the Jaguars are going to be very good at running the football to the left side of formations this season. It has been a long time since the Jags had a road grader on the offensive line like guard Emmanuel Pregnon, and putting Anton Harrison back at his natural position of left tackle will likely help things, too. I also really like the fact that Pregnon will be playing next to a hell of a lot of experience on the offensive line. He appears to be set up for success and I think we are going to be pleasantly … well, not surprised I guess due to the benefit of foresight in this case, so let's just say pleasantly whelmed.

That's the hope.

Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA

O, Fast start? I don't remember that being in the Jags' dictionary. Hopefully, this will be a new and exciting era for the Jags!

The Jaguars started 4-1 last season against a schedule that included the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. All seasons should start so fast.

Chris from Mandarin

Many in the national media don't take the time to see what is going on in Jacksonville, but they are not all like that. Mia Kimes of ESPN consistently has the Jaguars and/or quarterback Trevor Lawrence high on lists that feature on many different ranking topics. Of course CBS's Pete Prisco gets labeled the "Mayor of Jacksonville" as he has been more complimentary than most over the course of Trevor's career about the Jaguars than most observers … and how could we forget Nick Wright of Fox Sports's First Things First. He, as most of us that read this forum probably remember, nicknamed Trevor "The Prince that was Promised," and is generally pretty high on them. There are other prominent ones, of course. Like former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew … not much surprise there. Occasionally, Rich Eisen is pretty complimentary of the team, and if no one has seen his interviews with Liam Coen, they are a riot. Suffice it to say, the national media – while generally lazy – does feature some diamonds in the rough across most network platforms for fans of the Jaguars to read if they want information from those sources that are either more fair or more informed than those that seem to know nothing more about the team than that linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne Jr. left out this offseason for their well-deserved pay days.

Well, how about that? One fer the national media …

Dave from Los Angeles, CA

Longtime Bill Simmons listener here. He is, of course, an insufferable New England homer and has been casually dismissive of the Jags over the years. Fair enough, given history. But in the leadup to this season, even with all the good things this team finally has going for it, he has been flat-out disrespectful and vocal in his betting against them. Please pass along to Liam for bulletin-board material, if he is not already aware.

… except for Bill Simmons, apparently.

Oat from Jax

When I went to a preseason game, the field lights were in the upper deck. It caused us glare and eye strain. Have you heard if players on the field are affected by the new position of the lights? Does it cause punt returner any difficulty?

I have not heard of this being an issue. I have not asked about it because I have not heard of this being an issue. This doesn't mean it's not an issue, though I don't think it's an issue.

Tom from Sanford

How about those power rankings? Is there still time to add Western Michigan?

Are they in the Southeastern Conference?

Alan from Ellington, CT

Do teams film everything that goes on in the team meetings and practice? Like episodes of The Hunt, how do they get their film? Do the coaches and players know when they are being filmed? Do coaches have an input on what is released to the public?

Most teams film pretty much everything that happens in team meetings, games and practice. Coaches generally are aware they are being filmed, though I don't know that it is always in the front of their minds. Anything Jaguars Media releases along the lines of "The Hunt" – whatever that is –  is generally approved by football operations, particularly if it has anything to do with competitive advantage or disadvantage.

Johnny B from Howey In The Hills

Dr. O: A couple of quick comments. First, I am glad the media is overlooking the Jags. Stay under the radar and win. I think that is one of Coach Coen's "standards." Second, I love the depth. I don't recall any Jags team other than maybe one or two in the late '90s that had the depth this team has. With a 17-game schedule, depth is a critical piece and continued development of younger players by the coaches and vets is huge. There has been such a team-first view of this team that seems to be totally bought in by the players. I applaud the Big Three – Gladstone, Coen and Boselli – for putting together a strong, young and competitive team. Go Jagggggsssss!!

OK. OK. Go Jags.

Kenneth from Jacksonville

Are they gonna win? Just tell me if they're gonna win.

I expect the Jaguars to win Sunday when they play the 2026 regular-season opener at EverBank Stadium. I think if the Jaguars and Browns played a lot of times the Jaguars would win more than the Browns because I think the Jaguars are good and that the Browns are a building team early in a regime change. I don't know if the Jaguars will win because this is professional football, but I think they will win.

Oscar from Palm Coast, FL

Hey, O. I sent you my seating area for game day. Come see me. You can take some pictures, and I will sign a few autographs for you. It will be a great time.

I'll text you.