JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Josh from Atlanta, GA
No question, just a comment after reading every note from every beat from every viewable play in three days of camp. All rose-colored optimism aside, we are in for a special season.
The reviews following three days of Jaguars 2026 Training Camp indeed have been positive, perhaps even bordering on rosily optimistic. And while that may cause longtime Jaguars fans anxiety, the thought here remains that the optimism is well-founded. We have discussed multiple reasons for this in a few recent O-Zones, so I will lean at least somewhat away rosy redundancy and not list every reason for this optimism. But quarterback Trevor Lawrence has looked very good in recent days, and so have multiple key wide receivers such as Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. Defensive end Travon Walker also is fully healthy after playing through injuries last season. And so on. Nothing is guaranteed and fans are well within their rights to reserve judgment – and even roll eyes – when they hear how good this team looks early. But the Jaguars do look good and are showing the right stuff so far. That's a start.
Brittany from Duuuuval Mrs Lawrence
When will Parker Washington sign a contract with the Jags? Will Trevor Lawrence have a good season this year with the jags?
I expect Washington will sign a contract extension when he and the team agree on a contract, something the Jaguars very much want to happen. Remember: The machinations and complexities of the NFL salary cap are such that not all mega-contracts get done as quickly as would be ideal. I expect Lawrence will have a very good season this season, something the Jaguars also very much want to happen.
RB in Ponte Vedra, FL
Heard a great new song on Spotify today; Duval Beer Kinda Night. Home run tune for the Jags and Duval. Love to hear it every game day at The Bank!
I'll allow it.
Ken from St Augustine, FL
I have bought into the hype about the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence and I predict Trevor throws for 4500-plus yards, 30-plus touchdowns and leads the team to a 12-5 record and wins the MVP award. Hopefully a Super Bowl victory as well.
I confess I don't follow what national, local or social media say about the Jaguars enough to have a great feel for the "hype" around Lawrence entering the season. It is also tricky to project statistics in the NFL because so much can depend on game circumstance, game plan, etc. But while it's also hard to predict goals as elusive and lofty as Super Bowls and Most Valuable Player Awards, the thought here is the Super Bowl is as realistic a goal for the Jaguars as it has been in two and a half decades. They have the feel of a franchise that's going to contend. And Lawrence may be in better position to have a season that merits MVP recognition than any player in franchise history. Are the Jaguars and Lawrence favorites for these accomplishments? Perhaps not. Would I be stunned if they achieved them? No, not really.
Chris from Mandarin, FL
You are right that nose tackle DaVon Hamilton was good in 2024 and very good in 2025. Prior to his back injury however, it appeared that he was trending towards a Pro Bowl or even All-Pro level of play. Hopefully this year he will get back to that. In a way, I consider him the most important player on the defensive line, considering that stopping the run has been Head Coach Liam Coen's first stated objective on that side of the ball. I don't know how much more there is to add to this conversation beyond that. As for improvements in 2026, I think the defensive line will be much better at rushing the passer because it looks as if the secondary should be improved. I'm excited for the developments at the safety position, and can't wait to see if Travis Hunter is up to trailing the No. 1 receiver as has been speculated to be one of his primary roles as a corner this year. Not much of a question here, just the musings of a passionate self-described ecstatic lunatic fanatic.
Hamilton played at a Pro Bowl or even All-Pro level of play last season. Not making the Pro Bowl doesn't mean you didn't deserve it, and I agree he merits consideration as the Jaguars' most important defensive player. While I don't know how much Hunter will be asked to "trail" the opponent's No. 1 receiver, the thought here is that Hunter and second-year safety Caleb Ransaw could help the secondary be the Jaguars' most improved position this season.
Steven from Jacksonville
In your opinion who was the best to interview in your time here?
This depends on what you believe makes a good interview. And in what circumstances. Former Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey was perhaps the most entertaining player when standing behind a podium or surrounded by his locker and speaking to the media. He didn't love the process – or at least he wanted to give the impression he didn't like it – but he rarely was boring. As for the best interviews in terms of interesting, well-though-out conversation … there were many. Defensive end Calais Campbell, defensive end Dawuane Smoot, linebacker Paul Posluszny, quarterback Blake Bortles, wide receiver Marvin Jones … all were engaging. I'm likely omitting a few, but those were good.
Darren from Jax
I know training camp is just beginning so we're looking forward, but I am curious why you think things went so poorly for Gus Bradley when he was the head coach.
It has been 10 nearly years since Bradley served as the Jaguars' head coach. That's a long time and much around the organization has changed.
Johnny from Jagsonville
It's an easy choice but don't forget Zero.
We didn't.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, how often do the Jags practice short-yardage drills? If you're going to gamble, you need to be prepared.
The Jaguars practice short-yardage consistently, working on it often during training camp and weekly during the regular season. The issue they face here is the same one all NFL teams face – and that's how "real" to make short-yardage practice. It's one thing to work on the plays. It's another one to work them with game-like intensity. The risk of injury is such that most teams do the latter sparingly – if at all.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 90?
Possibilities here include defensive end Tony Brackens (1996-2003), defensive end Andre Branch (2012-2015), defensive tackle Taven Bryan (2018-2021) and defensive tackle Malik Jackson (2016). I confess I had forgotten Jackson wore No. 90 for a year before switching to No. 97 from 2017-2018. And I smiled a bit remembering Branch. But Brackens is the easy selection here and the thought here is he merits strong consideration for the Pride of the Jaguars.
John from Jacksonville
"It's not what you don't do. It's what you do do." Coach Leonard Skinner at basketball practice.
John's got jokes.
Crash from Glen Saint Mary, FL
Obi Wan! Best sports movie ever? How about Bull Durham?
This one from my view is Remember the Titans, but I'm biased because that was very much a shared favorite/memory/experience with Junior O-Zone. We watched the movie together countless times, enough where we can both quote most of it from memory. It's so good that you can forgive a ridiculous final play to win the state title and dramatic departures from the "real story." Other contenders in the best sports movie category: Friday Night Lights, Miracle, North Dallas Forty, Hoosiers and the original Rocky. Bull Durham is up there and is unique among great sports movies in that it didn't feel the need for a dramatic, championship ending. That's rare – and helped make Friday Night Lights different, too.
Bruce from Cameron and St. Simons Island
O. As to my last question, as you like to say "fair." I was trying to get your opinion as an "expert" observer as to how many games into the 2026 season would the fans be able to tell whether how the Jags' season will go. Sixteen weeks, I know. The league is a week-by-week league, but when would the teams weaknesses and strengths be apparent?
Astute, reasonable football people will typically tell you it takes about five or six regular-season games to get an accurate feel about an NFL team. That's usually enough time for week-to-week highs and lows to settle into trends, and it's enough time for teams to begin adjusting game plans to what teams are trying to do offensively or defensively. The NFL is still a week-to-week league after the first five or six games, and circumstances – particularly injuries – can change team dynamics. But that's usually enough time to have a better feel for a team than you do in the offseason.
