JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Brad from Myrtle Beach, FL
I have not been this optimistic about the Jaguars' upcoming season since 2018 or 2023. Go Jags!
This perchance is something of a "loaded" statement/question, with many Jaguars fans feeling an understandable mix of optimism and pessimism entering the 2026 season. The optimism is because of what fans saw during a 2025 AFC South championship season – and because of what appears to be a solid, strong franchise built for long-term success. The pessimism is because of what happened in those 2018 and 2023 seasons you cite – i.e., a dramatic and devastating falloff from AFC South titles the previous seasons. But the optimism fans feel entering the 2026 season from this view absolutely should outweigh the pessimism because the optimism is based on real, reliable strengths. A solid organization moving one direction under quality leadership. A sound run defense. A dynamic, balanced offense poised to improve. Front-line quarterback play. Success never is guaranteed in the NFL. But barring injuries, this feels like a team that merits the optimism so many fans feel. Stay tuned.
Ken from Jacksonville
Mr. John: This will be a great problem to have, but if wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington have great seasons – which I expect – can we realistically pay both of them comparable to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers? In other words, assuming production is there, is $60 million a year for a wide receiver corps even feasible – notwithstanding tight end Brenton Strange and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen re-signings? How do you see this playing out and what's the most realistic, best-case scenario?
This will be a tough one. I expect the Jaguars to re-sign Washington to a long-term contract – if not before the 2026 season, then certainly well before he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next March. That expectation does not imply inside knowledge nor is it a guarantee of future events. An issue with Washington may be that he has yet to have an entire season of production equal to the half season of production he turned in late last season. That may be enough of an issue to delay timing. Still, the Jaguars absolutely like Washington and I will be surprised if he is not with the team for the foreseeable future. The Jaguars can't re-sign Thomas until next offseason, and remember, too: Because he was a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Jaguars can exercise the fifth-year option in his contract – a mechanism that allows them more time to manage his contract. I don't know if the Jaguars will want to re-sign Thomas to a megadeal because no one knows this yet. If he plays at an elite level this season, I expect they will want that. Their possible path, and my theoretical answer, will be a lot more specific in that scenario.
Scott from Jacksonville
At Wes … are you freaking kidding me with the 2013-2017 jerseys?! They covered the shoulders in plastic! Ever touch your steering wheel after the car has been out in the sun all day? Same thing. They were literally cooking our players inside their uniforms! Dumbest jersey in the history of jerseys!!
Look at Scott just out here sharing thoughts.
Richard from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to wear No. 51?
We have arrived at No. 51 in this continuing O-Zone offseason discussion, with possibilities including linebacker Kevin Hardy (1996-2001), linebacker Akin Ayodele (2002-2005), linebacker Clint Ingram (2006-2009), linebacker Paul Posluszny (2011-2017) and linebacker Ventrell Miller (2024-2026). No awful choices here. Hardy or Posluszny? Too close to call.
J.Hooks from Mandarin
"Because, whatever" has to be your greatest response in O-Zone history. It wasn't "not nice." It was just simply snarky enough with a hint of attitude. Maybe you cared, but you probably could care less. Good times.
Whatever.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Hey, Zone? What about "L?"
We have reached "L" in this ongoing discussion of the best player in Jaguars history with specific last-name initials. Possibilities here include defensive end Jeff Lageman (1995-1998), safety Carnell Lake (1999), kicker Josh Lambo (2017-2021), defensive end Austen Lane (2010-2012), quarterback Trevor Lawrence (2021-2026), wide receiver Marqise Lee (2014-2019), quarterback Byron Leftwich (2003-2006), tight end Marcedes Lewis (2006-2017), cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2025-2026), center Brandon Linder (2014-2021), kicker Cam Little (2024-present), offensive tackle Walker Little (2021-present), linebacker Devin Lloyd (2022-2025), safety Mike Logan (1997-2000) and quarterback Jake Luton (2020). Verdict: Lawrence.
Daniel from St J
I certainly agree with the Mojo selection, but I think we have to make a special exception for the letter "J." I think we have to include Miles Jack because HE WAS NOT DOWN … and we also have to select Rob Johnson because he morphed into FUTURE HALL OF FAMER FRED TAYLOR. I therefore request three-way tie for the letter "J." Please!
It is true that former Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack – aka, Miles Jack – Wasn't Down in the AFC Championship Game loss to the New England Patriots following the 2017 season. It's also true that former Jaguars quarterback Rob Johnson turned into the No. 9 overall selection in the 1998 NFL Draft that turned into former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor. It is not true that we have to make a special exception about the best player in Jaguars history with the last name to start with the letter "J." That is former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
Troy from Dover, PA
Who would you select as the best defensive player to have ever played for the Jaguars? Josh Hines-Allen?
Perhaps. I also would think about former defensive end Tony Brackens, former cornerback Rashean Mathis, former linebacker Daryl Smith, current defensive end Travon Walker and former defensive tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud.
Jimsure from DBS
On the supplemental draft, why would any NFL team want to draft Texas Tech Brendan Sorsby after his history of betting on games including his own team? As a coach I would stay as far away from him as possible.
Many NFL teams feel as you do about Sorsby and I expect that will hurt his status if and when the NFL holds a supplementary draft for him in July. But while many teams would stay away for these reasons, some team will give him an opportunity because talent and because quarterback.
Jesse from Texas
Who decided this time of year is the dead zone?
The people.
Jadon from NC State
The other day someone was on a podcast. It could have General Manager James Gladstone, Hines-Allen or defensive tackle Arik Armstead - and they mentioned how Head Coach Liam Coen not only talks about F.A.S.T., but also something called C.L.E.A.T. What does that stand for?
Commitment. Love. Energy. Authentic. Tough. This is not to be confused with my "personal" "CLEAT: Charming, luscious, effervescent, agile and tantalizing." Wait. That's not mine.
Roger from Houston, TX
I believe linebacker Jeff Kopp played for the Jaguars from 1996 to 1998. I knew 2016 to 2018 couldn't be right because I had seats right behind him in the West Club when I lived in Jacksonville, after he had retired from football. I moved to Houston in 2017.
You are correct. And sorry about the "living-in-Houston" thing.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Hope you had a good Father's Day! We hear a lot about how Coen was influenced by Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay and his version of the West Coast Offense. But commentators have also proposed that Coen has morphed this into his own style pretty quick. Wondering if what was called the WCO back in the day is still being used in the league or has it evolved into multiple versions no longer considered WCO? And while it has only been one season, how has Coen changed up on the McVay playbook?
The "morphing" to which you refer is constant, particularly with creative – and innovative – head coaches/offensive coordinators/playcallers such Coen and McVay. This is equally true of multiple front-line offensive NFL minds. Coen's "system" actually evolves and adjusts season to season and week to week based on their own talent and the opponent – as is the case with most offensive and defensive systems. It is perhaps most accurate when discussing the "West Coast" offense to say that we absolutely see the basics of the old "WCO" used and popularized by the 1980s San Francisco 49ers under legendary Head Coach Bill Walsh in most – if not all – NFL offenses these days. You definitely see major "WCO" elements – wide-zone rushing, pre-snap motions, play-action passing – from teams such as the Rams, San Francisco 49ers. Coen's "playbook" differed somewhat from McVay's last season in the sense that McVay leaned heavily into 12 and 13 – multiple tight ends – more than the Jaguars. That could change this season. Stay tuned.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: Happy belated Father's Day. Hopefully, Mrs. O-Zone made your day stress free and relaxing –bad knee and all.
One can always dream, I suppose.
