JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Calen from Port Orange, FL

Draft and develop. Really? Travis and Devin are products of draft and develop. Now they are gone. So, we want to get better for another run. Where is that coming from? And I'm sorry … I don't want to hear about the salary cap. Maybe we made some poor decisions on other players. But draft picks and low-end free agents aren't going to upgrade those two positions.

This remains an emotional topic among Jaguars fans, and I suspect it will remain as much for the next few days. And while it might remain that way even longer than that, the Jaguars' approach to the 2026 NFL League Year rather than showing something wrong in fact showed something very right and encouraging – that the Jaguars are roster-building with an eye on the long-term. While observers and fans are understandably concerned – even angry – about former Jaguars players such running back Travis Etienne Jr. (New Orleans Saints) and linebacker Devin Lloyd (Carolina Panthers) signing elsewhere, their departures in fact are the normal progression of draft and develop for their positions. When I covered the Indianapolis Colts, they allowed Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James to sign elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent following the 2005 season and won the Super Bowl the following season. They then allowed linebacker Cato June – a Pro Bowl selection in 2006 – to sign elsewhere following that season and made five more consecutive playoff appearances with a Super Bowl appearance. Maybe the Jaguars can upgrade running back and linebacker this offseason. Maybe not. My sense is the Jaguars at minimum will be just as good at both spots. Either way, you can't keep all players you draft and develop. Not if you're a good franchise doing things the right way.

Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX

I get it's all about money. Just stinks that when we started to get good that was also the same time that these contracts came due, so our window got shut by a few inches. As long as we have Trevor, though, the window should remain at least 80% open and the musty air of the "same old Jaguars" can be replaced by fresh air. Here is hoping for some new core players.

Trevor Lawrence emerged as an elite quarterback in the second half of the 2025 season. If that's what he is, the window is open. No percentage points are needed, and this week's personnel losses shouldn't remotely affect that.

Jadon from Raleigh, NC

How do you foresee Caleb Ransaw used in the defense in 2026?

At safety.

Hooks from Mandarin

Now that the new league year has started, are we allowed to continue restructuring contracts to free up more cap room to maybe dabble in keeping solid special teamers or other second- or third-wave players on the market? Is this something you could see happening?

The Jaguars reportedly have been restructuring multiple contracts to free additional salary-cap space. General Manager James Gladstone said Thursday when discussing the League Year and player acquisition that "it's exciting from my vantage point to know that the start of the league year began yesterday roughly 24 hours ago, a little less, and it's nothing more than the start." I think we should listen to Gladstone when he said that what has happened already is "nothing more than the start."

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

Hey, John. Gladstone's media availability was straightforward and informative about the Jags' offseason strategy. I found it interesting that, unless I missed it, Travis Hunter was never mentioned. How things can change in eleven months. This may be a good thing showing that Hunter is no longer viewed by the media as the biggest storyline. This could give Hunter the space and attention he needs to rehab and really dig into learning the system. Next year is very big for Hunter to prove his value and justify Gladstone's big gamble on him. Just before his injury, Hunter was starting to peak. All Jags fans are rooting for Travis to have a breakout season in 2026.

Wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who incidentally already has ample space and attention to rehab/learn the system, indeed was not a topic when Gladstone spoke to the media Thursday. I would interpret this as the media on the call being focused on the Jaguars' immediate offseason focus and activity. I wouldn't interpret it as Hunter being viewed by the media as a small storyline.

Scott from Kissimmee, FL

I realize the Jags went into this offseason hoping to reset their mistakes of salary caps past. The evaluation, while not popular with some fans, seems to be the forward-thinking idea that Gladstone was hired for. If everyone could just buy their championship, why wouldn't they? My bigger question is regarding the New Orleans Saints, where Etienne went. Each year they have one of the direst salary caps before the league year starts and they seem to throw big amounts of money around each season. That has to catch up at some point, right?!?

I don't cover the Saints, so I don't know every detail and nuance of their cap maneuvering. But NFL teams can manage the cap each year in numerous ways, releasing high-cap players when necessary and repeatedly restructuring. If teams continue to sign high-priced players while doing these things, they can go a long time without a roster/franchise reset. The Saints from an outsider's view appear to have leaned at least somewhat into the "non-reset" approach. It will catch up eventually. The Saints haven't been in the postseason since 2020.

Chief from Biloxi, MI

Can you please enlighten me? In this league a lot of players restructure their contract so the team can retain a good player. My question is, why did TL didn't do his to pay ETN?

NFL teams restructure contracts to clear salary cap room. This isn't about players taking less money. Rather, it's about players receiving their money in the form of a bonus rather than a base salary. Could the Jaguars have cleared more cap room by restructuring Lawrence's contract? Sure. Could they have restructured enough contracts of other players to sign both Lloyd and Etienne? Sure. But that sort of approach would have been very short-sighted. The Jaguars are trying to build a sustainable roster for the long term, and signing Lloyd and Etienne to big-money long-term deals didn't fit that approach.

Homer from Springfield

It's that time of year again. We're stacked at a position, so everyone is going to write a clickbait article about trading someone on a rookie contract.

Pretty much.

Jadon from Raleigh, NC

Between Travon, AJ, Strange, and Parker, who do the Jags/Gladstone want to extend first? What have you heard?

I think the Jaguars very much want to re-sign defensive end Travon Walker, tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Parker Washington this offseason. I think they like safety Antonio Johnson and hope he continues to play well enough to merit a long-term contract.

Marc from Oceanway

It's been a while John, you doing a'ight? Do you foresee us earning some compensatory picks for Etienne and Lloyd?

Yes.

Al from Orange Park, FL

Is Wingard Pride worthy? Or is/should the Pride be different criteria?

There are currently many players who should be considered for the Pride of the Jaguars ahead of former Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard – and he didn't have quite the career on the field to be so honored. Still, I'm a believer that team "Rings of Honor" or "Prides" or whatever teams call them should be more about players who have meant much to organizations for various reasons. They are not the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are places where fans can point and say, "I remember him. That was awesome." This doesn't mean Wingard should be in the Pride. It does mean a player doesn't have to be an all-time great of the game to be there.

William from Jacksonville

Do you really believe the Jaguars got better this week? How dumb do you think we are?

I don't at all believe O-Zone readers are "dumb." I do believe the Jaguars are becoming a good NFL organization and good NFL organizations know when and how to transition the roster.

Chris from Mandarin

I've seen enough out of running back Bhayshal Tuten to lead me to believe he will be able to handle being the lead back for the Jaguars. He was used rather sparingly (somewhat), but to me the group with him, LeQuint Allen Jr. and now Chris Rodriguez Jr. looks to be a good group. Do you think they'll add more running backs this offseason, and do you think Tuten could handle being the guy on first and second down?

I expect the Jaguars to select a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. I expect the Jaguars to use Rodriguez and Tuten heavily on first and second downs next season depending on competition and circumstance.