JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Chris from Mandarin
The Jaguars need defensive ends that can tackle the quarterback with more regularity. Travon Walker does a lot of things well, but not that. Josh Hines-Allen seems to only show up when it's convenient for him. Considering that lack of a pass rush is a big part of why the Jaguars lost to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, I hope they find a way to improve … but I don't think those two particular players will, since we have seen what they can do over a long period of time.
These "takes" are – perhaps unsurprisingly – slanted pretty extremely toward the notion that Jaguars defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen are not good pass rushers, a notion that some people embrace regardless of facts to the contrary. Walker didn't have a great sack season this past season after being in double digits in this area the two seasons before that. He also played through significant physical issues for about 75 percent of the season, with his history suggesting that he will be more effective tackling the quarterback when healthy. The idea that Hines-Allen "seems to only show up when it's convenient" is particularly silly considering he's consistently among the league's best at pressuring the quarterback. None of this is to say the Jaguars don't need to improve their pass rush. They could improve depth on the edge and they definitely need more penetration from the interior. I expect this to be a focus this offseason.
Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA
For purposes of this question, I will refer to you as Doctor O. Does wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter's injury last year potentially affect his quickness and agility for this season, or do today's advanced medical procedures (aka "Tommy John.") mean that Hunter will retain his abilities? If so, it appears to me that this is very much like having another first-round pick this year.
Hunter missed the last 10 2025 regular-season games with a knee injury. Any injury to a knee has potential to affect quickness and agility. That's part of why players often lose some of those elements with age – and with wear and tear on the body. I have heard nothing to indicate that Hunter won't recover fully and be just as quick – and agile – moving forward as he was previously. The Jaguars certainly expect he will be at the same level in these areas after the injury as before.
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
Regarding a recent answer about character, I'm pleased the Jaguars appear to be closing the door on a very long chapter of character building. I think the average long-time Jaguars fan should have a very well-built character by now.
Sounds like you're hanging out with different Jaguars fans than I am.
Tim from Jacksonville
Zone, is it true that in the 1980s everybody was working for the weekend? And that everybody wanted a second chance? Everyone? Really? That seems like a few too many.
Everybody was working very hard to get it right. That's probably the most important thing to remember in this discussion.
Matt from Orlando, FL
I can't quite remember when Mark Lamping was hired, but can you give us a breakdown of the importance of his hire and the key developments he has played a role in? I imagine he's been vital to the Jags' commitment to Jacksonville.
Lamping's hiring in 2012 was very important. It came immediately after Owner Shad Khan purchased the team, and the hiring set the tone for the future of the organization – particularly the business side of the organization. It continues to do so. Lamping has played a role in essentially every key development since his hiring – and his vision has helped shape the last decade and a half around here. He has been absolutely vital to the Jaguars' commitment to Jacksonville. He's certainly not alone in that commitment and Khan's commitment sets the organization tone in that area, but Lamping's commitment is critical. How critical? He's the president, so it's presidentially critical.
Bill from Tampa, FL
This year's NFLPA rankings included 11 head coaches with grades of "A" or A+" but Liam Coen received an "A-." If the players bought in and loved playing for him, why's he ranked below so many others?
Players from around the NFL all vote in the annual NFL Players Association report cards based on their individual circumstances. Remember, too: Players fill out these surveys the way many of us fill out such things – quickly and perhaps without detailed reflection regarding every single category. It therefore is best to see the results as a decent big-picture view rather than hard-core analysis. There therefore is little difference between an A and an A-. Players are not in this system ranking all 32 head coaches. They are "grading" their own head coach. A bunch of players on a bunch of teams clearly respected their head coach and enjoyed playing for him in 2025. That Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen was among those coaches is the takeaway from this survey, not that a few other coaches got A+s.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
I wrote in recently about dead cap hits. And you may end up answering some of what I'm going to ask about in this submission. I'm far from a cap guy. Google tells me we're $43.86 million in dead money. Is that not an astronomical number? I know, as I've lamented, Gabe Davis' hit. I can understand Darnell Savage's. But (as it reads) $19 million in dead money for Tyson Campbell? Does trading him not nullify that? Would you be willing to detail in as much detail as possible dead cap hits, as this forum would allow ... and/or at least the Jaguars' 2026 dead cap number? I swear I'm gonna screen shot it and read it until I get it through my head. That way in the future I can hopefully counteract not knowing what to expect. And then at least I won't be confused on top of being ticked off.
"Dead money" in NFL terms is salary cap money dedicated to a player no longer on the roster, and the Jaguars' dead cap number for 2026 indeed is high – though not historically so. Cornerback Tyson Campbell indeed has a $19.5 dead cap hit for '26, with wide receiver Gabe Davis having a $14.6 dead cap hit and Savage having a $6.2 cap it. This is often what you get when you overspend in free agency. Trading Campbell didn't nullify his dead cap hit because the Jaguars didn't trade the prorated bonus, but it did get Campbell's salaries for future seasons after 2025 off the Jaguars cap.
P Funk from Murray Hill
From Zone's view, was the performance of Trevor Lawrence in the back half of this season the best stretch he has had in the NFL so far? What were some key factors in his improved play and efficiency at the position? It can't just be a head coach telling him to "let it rip" can it?
Yes, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's performance in the final eight-to-10 games of this past season from this view was the best of his career. I'm not sure anyone would disagree with that. This was true not only in personal statistics, but in victories and losses – as well as the clear command of the offense along with confidence. Key factors from this view included trust in his receivers after the addition of wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and increased understanding – and comfort – in the offense. But the biggest factor indeed was Coen telling him to "let it rip" shortly before a midseason victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Lawrence clearly understood at that point that Coen trusted him and that he was Coen's guy. It had a dramatic effect on Lawrence, the offense and the Jaguars' season overall. Lawrence looked like a different – and far better player – after that.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: I don't want to be nice. Remember when defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. got injured in his FIRST practice in 2015 and missed his entire rookie year? I guess he was just too frail for the NFL.
Good one, Nicholas.
Robert from Elkton
John, we all know you can't judge a draft class for two-to-three years. But more and more "analysts" are saying how weak this year's class is. I remember 2013 when the Jags took a consensus top 10 pick in left tackle Luke Joeckel, and he didn't work out the way they hoped. But that league-wide draft is now regarded as one of the weakest ever. Trading this year's first-round pick (24th) for Travis Hunter looks to way less costly now than it did when they made the deal. How much do you think this year's talent crop played into the willingness for General Manager James Gladstone to make that deal?
At least a bit. Maybe somewhat. Sort of a tad.
