JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Holden from Callahan, FL

I'm not sure what the thought process was behind trading Fred Johnson back to Philly. He had a good chance to win the tackle job, and he's valuable depth on the offensive line. Maybe there's another move on the docket or what, and I trust what this regime is doing. But, forgive me if I don't get it.

The Jaguars indeed traded offensive tackle Fred Johnson to the Philadelphia Eagles for a seventh-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft Monday, returning the veteran to the franchise for which he played from 2022-2024. This was after the Jaguars signed Johnson as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason. The thought process behind the move was simple. Johnson was not going to win the starting tackle job, and he likely wasn't going to be one of the nine or 10 offensive linemen on the 53-player roster. He is likely too well-known and too good to retain on the practice squad, so trading him means the Jaguars will get a seventh-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Remember: A major storyline around Jaguars 2025 Training Camp was competition on the offensive line. That competition took place, and the Jaguars decided they wanted players other than Johnson on the offensive line.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John - It has been a long, strange trip since January. Are the vibes still good? Go Jags!

Yes. Vibes tend to stay good around an NFL team as long as there are no losses that count. The test for vibes is adversity. I believe this Jaguars team will handle that test well, but we don't know on that front until we know.

Donut from Saint Johns

Hi, John. I had some of the other teams' preseason games on because – as you say – it was on, and a situation occurred that made me confused. At the end of the first quarter, one of the teams tried to draw the other offsides and as the clock hit 0:00, the offensive line moved and they were called for false start. The team was penalized AND the quarter ended. How can you get a false start penalty if the quarter ended?

This is possible if the official has a merciful streak and wants the preseason game to be done already.

Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX

Cake and ice cream? When was the last time the Jaguars served cake and ice cream?

It has been a while. Mercifully.

Johnny B from Howey In The Hills

Dr. O: As we get to this time of the year for roster lock in, give me your thoughts on the 53-man roster. Personally, I think it's ridiculous playing 17 regular-season games plus three preseason games and as many as four postseason games with a roster that small. It would seem realistic that the NFL would expand rosters to 60 or even 65 to allow the teams to have a true "dedicated specialty" team versus putting primary backups in the mix every game. College teams play far less games and have 70-plus on the field dressed out. I know there are differences based on the cost of professional athletes, but it would only seem logical that expanding a team's roster would help preserve the health of those playing as well as keeping the ridiculous "roster poaching" of the various practice squads when a team hits the injury panic button. What say you, Dr. O?

I say this comes up each year as NFL teams churn through the process of reducing rosters to 53 players, and I don't disagree that 53 is a relatively small number of players with which to grind through 24 games. Remember, though: NFL teams now have practice squads of 16 players, with six of those players allowed to be veterans with accrued seasons. Practice-squad players can be promoted to the roster three times per season, with teams also allowed to "protect" four players each week. Whereas the practice squad once was purely a developmental tool, these recent modifications – allowing veterans, allowing players to be activated and protecting the players – makes the 16-player practice squad far more part of the roster than used to be case. It's now correct to think of teams having 69 players rather than 53, which is why I don't know that we'll see owners agree to expanding rosters significantly any time soon.

Brad from The Avenues

John, I get what the preseason is about. Knocking off the rust and evaluation, etc. But it's preseason for some of us fans as well. I got some new gear to replace the jinxed stuff from last season and worked on my fried chicken thigh nuggets, which I haven't made since early January. Week 1, a little over done. Week 2, a tad on the greasy side. Week 3, golden crispy perfection. And thanks to the penalties this preseason, I've got my Radio Delay zeroed in so I can listen to Frank Frangie and Jeff Lageman during the games. I'm all set. Go Jags!!!

OK.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

Dang. I was really feeling good about Fred Johnson as a depth swing. Does that mean he was actually about to be cut? I'm just a bit surprised at both because it seemed he fit nicely as the backup tackle.

The Jaguars' starting offensive line looks something like this: Left tackle Walker Little, left guard Ezra Cleveland, center Robert Hainsey, right guard Chuma Edoga or Patrick Mekari and right tackle Anton Harrison. They also like rookies Wyatt Milum and Jonah Monheim and veterans such as Cole Van Lanen. That's the main nine. The Jaguars really like all those players and believe they're a better fit for the group than Johnson. I understand there was a lot of discussion around Johnson early in training camp. This wasn't about not liking Johnson. It was about liking the other options.

Brendan from The Banana Patch

Please make that make sense! We are now one O-line injury away from that being a very questionable trade.

The Jaguars like the ability of Edoga, Mekari, Milum and Van Lanen to play multiple positions. They like their depth.

Rob from the Duuu

Hey, John. Why get rid of our biggest, most-powerful offensive lineman? Was he really not going to make the team? Why not cut Van Lanen if we are trying to get bigger and stronger up front? If we were to lose two tackles and a guard, wouldn't he be a better option over Van Lanen or Monheim? I get keeping Monheim for future center option but I don't understand why we would keep an injured Van Lanen over Fred Johnson. Thoughts?

The Jaguars kept Van Lanen over Johnson because they think he's better than Johnson.

Sam from Orlando, FL

Don's unmatched enthusiasm reminds me of Ray Stantz from Ghostbusters 2 after he gets hit with the positively charged slime. I'd walk into hell for Don. All he has to do is ask.

I'll have him text you.

Frank from Jacksonville

Is Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone a Trade Machine? He seems to be getting value from players we likely would have released. If only he could have traded Gabe Davis, we could have kept Engram.

If only.

Tom from Moncks Corner

Since the new coaching staff was announced, we have read over and over how much Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has improved and how the offensive pieces have been upgraded. It is easy to see that Trevor has improved some of his mechanics. What I question is his execution. In the two preseason games, he may have completed 80 percent of his passes but he failed to even attempt a pass over five yards. I know that I was limited as to what I was able to see, but could it be that the staff didn't want to expose his lack of accuracy or is there some logical reason that I am not seeing?

Lawrence threw 17 passes in three series in two preseason games. He has thrown many, many, many deep passes in practice. Jaguars coaches wanted their quarterbacks during the preseason to run the offense and throw to the receivers who were open. They didn't want them throwing deep for the sake of throwing deep.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL

I must admit I am a little surprised at the Fred Johnson trade, at least for only a seventh. It seems that kind of depth before the season even starts is worth more than that on the surface. Thoughts?

The Jaguars like their depth on the offensive line and Johnson didn't project to be a part of that.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

What three things would need to occur in Week 1 for you to say, "This team is going to be a heck of a lot of fun to watch this year," while also assuredly inducing the significant overreaction of "Super Bowl bound!!!!!" from the football-starved base.

Winning. The offense looking explosive. The pass rush/defensive front seven looking disruptive.

Travis from Jacksonville

Here's to hoping the Jaguars front four cause a kerfuffle in Week 1.

Here's to it.