JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

Hopefully because it has been discussed in recent capacities here on this team's free website, it won't leave me open to be labeled as "unsolicitedly, senselessly looking back" – or however it could otherwise be termed. So, I am asking this in all objectivity and genuinely not in the spirit of only taking shots at former Head Coach Doug Pederson. When you start tallying things like players being unhappy with how their families were accommodated, being instructed to put on weight that many have now vocally expressed felt was not advantageous to their playing success and being used at positions that they had not recently played and/or had performed well at ... how does that all line up with you being adamant about and borderline dismissive of the sentiment that coaching and its direction of the team and organization wasn't likely heavily, negatively influential in the results we saw play out on the field here last season?

Fear not the wrath of the label. There's nothing inherently wrong with looking back and examining situations when appropriate – and considering the comments of Jaguars players this offseason regarding last season's defense it's entirely appropriate to look back at least a bit. And know this: When it comes to organizational direction, coaching always matters – and while I often write "it's always coaching in the NFL," that's because fans and observers lean faaaaaaar too hard on play-calling/coaching in situations where players simply need to play better. But I never, ever, ever have dismissed the role of coaching when it comes to organizational direction – and how much players believe in a head coach and a coaching staff might be the most important element of coaching in the NFL. If players don't believe in the direction of the team – and it's apparent that on some level Jaguars players did not believe in the defensive direction last season – it sure doesn't help and it's really hard to overcome.

Anita from Springfield

It's about time we get the respect of being on the Madden cover ... oh, wait.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is on the cover of Madden 2026, and the scene EA Sports used for the cover was Barkley's backward leap over Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones in an Eagles victory over the Jaguars in a 2024 regular-season game. Was this a lack of respect on EA's part? Probably not intentionally. The decision-makers there probably just wanted the coolest picture possible – and Barkley's play was objectively pretty cool. Could they have used another picture and still have had a cool cover? There's little doubt about that. Considering no Jaguars logo appears on the cover will most fans know it's a Jaguars player? Probably not. Is it fair for Jaguars fans to be a bit annoyed and feel a bit disrespected? Yes – and there's little doubt about that, too.

Taylor from Columbia, MD

Everything written this offseason seems to indicate the coaching on the defensive side of the ball last season was epically inept. What do you say?

"Epically" is a strong word.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

If Trevor stays healthy throughout the entire season, what would you say is this team's absolute floor when it comes to wins? We have been through far too many horrific years in our lifetimes. Is it fair to say this team is too talented to NOT win six or seven games with a healthy former No. 1 overall pick quarterback entering his fifth season? I know there are a million scenarios, and then some, but it just feels like another three-to-four wins should not be something we have to fear.

This is tricky because the NFL is so much of a team sport that it's always possible to have a brutal season even with a top quarterback playing at a reasonable level. Peyton Manning played reasonably well in 2001 – his fourth NFL season and my first covering him full-time – and the Indianapolis Colts struggled to a 6-10 record because the defense struggled mightily and running back Edgerrin James missed much of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. I don't in any way expect that sort of "wheels-off" season for the Jaguars this season. Best guess: If Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is healthy the whole season, your six-to-seven-victory floor is reasonable.

Chris from Jacksonville

Coach Liam has lost me, Zone. I get that he has to praise young players to build confidence, but praising the offensive line during OTAs without pads? Please stop, Coach.

Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen indeed has praised the offensive line multiple times during 2025 organized team activities, but he has made sure in each instance to note that there's a limit to how much can be evaluated in the area during pad-less practices. What Coen is praising with the offensive line is the group's communication and approach to learning the offensive scheme. On a related note, Coen in fact has been pretty pitch-perfect during his OTA media availabilities. He answers the media's questions as openly and honestly as could be reasonably expected. Being good in this situation matters little when it comes to winning and losing, but this transparency can't be anything but good for the fans.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, did the T-U not have a succession plan for Frenette The Great? If it wasn't for Jaguar news I would unsubscribe.

I worked for the Florida Times-Union from 1988-2001. I have many fond memories of that time and it was a time that influenced my career. I do not work for the Times-Union anymore and have not for 24 years. I therefore do not know their succession plan for longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette. It had better be a hell of a plan, though. You don't just roll out of the rack in the morning and casually replace an icon. Replacing Gene will take some serious doing.

Brendan from The Moral High Ground

I signed up for college algebra and now am regretting this decision. Send help.

Push forth.

J.Hooks from Orange Park

Would you ever consider a media job covering tennis? Over all these years it's the sport you seem to have a passion for. I know you can't "fan" as a reporter, but would you ponder that kind of offer? Just asking.

There are few offers I wouldn't consider. I'm as coin-operated as the next guy. Covering tennis absolutely would be intriguing to me – maybe as intriguing as any other sport outside the NFL or NBA – but I very much hope to remain with the Jaguars and hope that's the case for a long, long while.

Neil from Gilbert, AZ

So, when are you making a trip out to Gilbert, AZ, to visit the inexplicable base of O-Zone readers here?

I'll text you. Don't text me first. (Seriously, don't).

Al from Fruit Cove, FL

Hi there, KOAF. You and others have reported that the turnout for OTAs has been excellent. But inquiring minds (at least this one) want to know ... Can you share with us which players have NOT been there?

A few players have missed the occasional Jaguars '25 OTA practice, just as a few players miss the occasional OTA practice on every NFL team. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. missed one open practice earlier in OTAs. Right tackle Anton Harrison missed one Monday. These are voluntary sessions and voluntary means voluntary. Players don't have to attend and it's not a big issue if a few players miss one or two on occasion.

Kevin from Jacksonville

Gotta hand it to you, Zone. You said over the weekend they weren't trading ETN and Coach Liam confirmed it. It's almost like you know something about this team.

I am the king of all funk.

Earl

When and how can I get a training camp ticket?

The Jaguars will release their 2025 Training Camp schedule sometime between now and the start of camp. Many sessions are open to fans, who can sign up for tickets through jaguars.com when it's released.

Paul from Jacksonville

Rumor has it that Garry Smits is a savant tennis player. I heard a story about him and Gene, well I've heard lots of stories about Gene but the off the record tennis dual between Smitter and Gene is legendary. Is it true pickleball became a thing after their match and the ATP knew we would never see that level of athleticism on a tennis court again?

Smits is a golf guy. He's a writing savant. Gene's tennis duel came in different circumstances in a different era.

Mario from West Kelowna, BC

The following things are useless and boring: draft predictions, draft grades, off season predictions, off season speculations, making up what if scenarios, trade machine. ... Zone, I think you should only work from Week 1 of the regular season until the Jags' season ends but...and this is a big but... you should be paid the same as you are now.

Shad Khan … hire this man!!!