JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Michael from Orange Park, FL
It is now July 28. Why is the dead zone not over yet?
It is indeed July 28, which means we are a tantalizing day from the first practice of Jaguars 2026 Training Camp at the Miller Electric Center. Players report July 28, with the first practice scheduled the morning of July 29. All of which means we are into this thing now. So, you ask … why does the O-Zone still feel sort of like a dead zone? Because while the MEC is abuzz with activity, we still have not reached the contact and competition period of training camp. That period really gets going with the first padded practice on August 3, followed closely thereafter by the first joint practice against the New Orleans Saints August 13 and the first preseason game against the Saints in New Orleans on August 15. There will be some hitting. And some real competition. And some drama. Other stuff. When those things start happening, what has seemed sort of dead will seem alive again. Stay tuned.
Johnny from Howey In The Hills
Dr. O: Great reporting on the beginning of training camp and I look forward to the day-by-day reports on the team's progress. My question: What is your take on the offensive line this season? I think with the maturing of the second-year guys and rookie Pregnon, they may have one of the best and deepest lines in recent Jags history. What is your take on Milum, Monheim and Pregnon starting – and what is the latest on Van Lanen?
I expect the Jaguars' offensive line to be good this season. I expect this because it was good last season – and not only do all significant contributors return in their prime this season, the unit should benefit from continuity in the second season in Head Coach Liam Coen's offense. The maturing and development of guard Wyatt Milum and center Jonah Monheim also figure to help the unit improve. I expect Milum to compete with Patrick Mekari at right guard, with Monheim competing with Robert Hainsey at center – and I expect Milum has a good chance to win a starting job. I will be a little surprised if Emmanuel Pregnon starts as a rookie, but I have been surprised before. Jaguars left tackle Cole Van Lanen will open training camp on the physically unable to perform list after missing the offseason program with a knee injury sustained in the 2025 regular-season finale. My understanding is the Jaguars like how Van Lanen has progressed and are optimistic he can be ready sometime during training camp.
Jesse from Texas
Is Cole Van Lanen expected to be ready to play Week 1 of the regular season?
Stay tuned.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 86?
Possibilities here include tight end Derek Brown (1996-1997), tight end Clay Harbor (2013-2015), tight end Brian Jones (2004-2005), tight end Zach Miller (2009-2011), wide receiver Dennis Northcutt (2007-2008), wide receiver Micah Ross (2001-2003) and wide receiver Alvis Whitted (1998-2001). I suppose we will go with Northcutt here. I suppose.
Big Will from Jacksonville
Do you think Jaguars will allow the season to play out before committing to Parker Washington? Plus, this gives them an opportunity to see what wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. can offer in Year 3?
I think the Jaguars would like to sign wide receiver Parker Washington to a contract extension that makes sense for both sides. I think sometimes finding a contract that makes sense for both sides can be difficult. Washington was really good last season, and he may be trending toward being elite. He has a lot of moments where he looks that good. He also never has had a 1,000-yard or double-digit touchdown season, so he's perhaps not quiiiiiite at elite status – at least on paper. That little area between not quiiiiiiite elite and elite can be a tough one for both sides when negotiating megadeals – and Washington certainly has played his way into a megadeal consideration. That's a rather long-winded way of saying it wouldn't surprise me if Washington signs soon and it wouldn't surprise me if it takes a while. But that doesn't mean the season has to play out. It just means it might take a while. None of this means the Jaguars don't love Washington. It means they must figure out how much to pay a player they love.
Al from ORANGE PARK, FL
With no disrespect to Poz, my wife will tell you that Kyle Brady wins....
Well, now we know.
Bradley from Death Valley, CA
I have not focused on the schedule because I see this as an elite team – if quarterback Trevor Lawrence is who we now think he is – that other teams will have to deal with. Barring injuries, of course. I think this is the best roster, coaching staff and front office in terms of long-term success potential. Agree or am delusional?
Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know I don't spend too much offseason time looking any regular season schedule. Too much changes year to year – and even week to week – to know in advance if a mid-October game will make you happy, mad, sad or glad come game day. If you are a good team, you usually find a way to beat enough bad or good teams to contend. If you are not a good team, you usually find a way to lose to enough bad or good teams to have a rotten season. I don't know where this roster or coaching staff or front office ranks in Jaguars history. I expect the Jaguars to contend for the postseason this season and I expect I will feel that way entering the next few training camps. There's reason for optimism around here. There's a lot of quality and a lot moving in a good direction. That gives a team a chance to contend.
Mike from Pensacola, FL
Zone, what is the story on Chris Rodriguez Jr.? He was, at date, just a journeyman. Nothing stood out, obviously. Now he is a puzzling piece. What the heck. We drafted Bhayshul Tuten for some of that short role. I believe we're close and then we give away a breakaway running back with ETN. And now Rodriguez is already hurt. Yikes!
It seems you're quite worried about the Jaguars' running back situation, but this isn't a worry inside the MEC. That's because the Jaguars don't consider running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. – who signed with the Jaguars as a restricted free agent in March – "puzzling" at all. He sustained a knee injury in the offseason and is expected to participate in 2026 Training Camp. Players occasionally sustain injuries in non-contact situations and that's what happened with Rodriguez this offseason. And he wasn't necessarily signed for "that short role." Rather, he was signed because the Jaguars believe he can be an efficient, reliable runner who helps the running game – and the entire offense – be more consistent. The Jaguars' running back room indeed is a storyline, mostly because they allowed their leading rusher from last season – Travis Etienne Jr. – to sign with the New Orleans Saints as an unrestricted free agent. But the Jaguars feel good about this area. Really good.
* *Nick from Palm Coast, FL**
When are they going to put in the sod for the field? We know it takes weeks to grow in. This could cause a lot of problems if the field is not playable.
Sod will be planted when it's time to plant sod.
Robert from Elkton
John, what is the actual reason for an active/pup list designation during off season? From what I read, the player still counts against the 90 allowed. So, is it just to let the public know a player isn't able to practice fully? I don't really get what the goal or usefulness is with it from the league, team or player standpoint. It seems like it would be just as effective to say nothing at all (story of my life).
NFL teams put players on the active/physically unable to perform list before training camp because if you don't put them there then, they're ineligible to be on it once the regular season begins. There's therefore no downside to putting the player on the list until he is fit to participate in practice.
Gator from Gainesville, FL
Gators don't worry none 'bout no bears. Just sayin. Best song ever: Free Bird. C'mon man. If Cohen wants a qb sneeker on forth down I no a guy he can call best ever.
OK.
Steven from Duval
Since you have DaVon Hamilton ranked so high, it would be a steal for the buccaneers if we traded him for Vea….
I don't have Jaguars nose tackle DaVon Hamilton "ranked" anywhere. I have written and said often in recent weeks and months that he is one of the NFL's better players at his position because he is. Why the discussion persists and/or irritates people I can't say.
