JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Ken from Jacksonville

I was listening to General Manager James Gladstone speak about cornerback Montaric Brown's physical transformation throughout his time at the Jaguars and I thought that was an interesting comment that I think is often overlooked. These guys coming from college to pros are young and most get bigger and stronger as they focus on their craft and continue to develop. My question to you is: Do you recall some players you have covered in the past where you saw them make significant leaps in stature, size, or speed that was notably significant and that you believe contributed to their on-field success? Thanks O.

I don't know that any particular player or story stands out from others in this area. But what Gladstone discussed last week is something most scouts, coaches and people who truly understand the NFL realize – and something that indeed is often overlooked by fans and observers. That's that there is often a significant physical difference between a college player/NFL rookie and a third- or fourth-year NFL veteran. This usually is more about the players continuing to gain strength and size rather than speed. This contributes to the phenomenon of many players taking a huge leap from their rookie season to their second seasons. It also is why no college team – even the best college teams – could compete with even the worst NFL team. It's a team of college kids playing a team of grown men, and the difference in size and power is huge part of what makes the NFL essentially a different sport than college football.

Bill from Jacksonville

John, what do you think of NFL teams playing division games at neutral sites? I know the league is of course about the almighty dollar, but it seems patently unfair to me to take a home game away from a team for a division opponent, especially considering the potential playoff ramifications.

This certainly isn't ideal or fair for the "home team," and it absolutely is an example of money and expanding the game taking precent over what's "fair and right." This wouldn't be the first time money took precedent over what's "fair and right" in the NFL – nor would the NFL be the first entity to lean toward money and away from what's "fair and right."

Josh from Atlanta, GA

Excluding quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who would you list as three other most "indispensable" players on the roster to date? If they go down with injury, plugging in the next man up will be a tall task to backfill production at their spot.

Defensive end Travon Walker, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and tight end Brenton Strange.

Michael from Orange Park, FL

Did I hear you say the Jaguars will be a better running team without ETN? A better running team without a 1,000-yard, 13-touchdown player? Really?

I didn't say the Jaguars will be a better running team without running back Travis Etienne Jr., who signed with the New Orleans Saints as an unrestricted free agent last week. I did say the Jaguars believe they can be a more effective running team next season – and while that's no guarantee, there's every reason for them to believe this. The belief lies in intermediate effectiveness versus explosiveness. While Etienne indeed turned in many spectacular plays last season and was notably productive scoring touchdowns, his strength was not necessarily running powerfully between the tackles. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., who signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent last week, is very effective between the tackles and breaking tackles. While Rodriguez is unlikely to break off many 20-yard-plus runs in the vein of Etienne, it's entirely possible that he will put the Jaguars in manageable situations on second and third downs more consistently than Etienne. That's the hope and that's one reason there's a belief around the Jaguars that they could improve as a running team – even without Etienne, a player and a person they like very much.

Damon from the Stine

John. I am glad the regime is playing it smart in free agency. Do you have any idea what they are thinking as far as giving a new contract to Travon Walker? Say what you want about his sack totals, I think he is a beast and would help the Jags in the upcoming years to be a perennial contender.

I expect the Jaguars to work this offseason to sign Walker to an extension.

Larry from Duncan, OK

Great and Powerful O: After winning the AFC South last season while playing a fourth-place schedule, shouldn't there be concern regarding an upgrade in 2026 schedule? Jags history shows that Jacksonville has only repeated once as divisional champs (1998 and 1999). In 2000, Jax finished fourth, won in 2017 and fourth in 2018, won in 2022 - second in 2023 and third in 2024 –which got then-Head Coach Doug Pederson fired and won in 2025. What say you?

I say the Jaguars were leading the South in 2023 – and almost certainly would have won it that season -- after winning it in 2022 before injuries to Lawrence and wide receiver Christian Kirk waylaid the season. They won the AFC South playing a third-place schedule in 2025 and beat multiple playoff teams – the Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. First-place schedules are tricky. If you're a good team, you handle them.

Kevin from Jacksonville

You have issues.

You have no idea.

Bob from Bobsville

John, how many teams in your career are you aware of who overpaid very much or frequently and won. I am not saying paid a lot for a player worth that, but rather to fill a need. Same thing in the draft, only in this case drafting a player for positional need versus best available. Not to dish Trevor, but it seems maybe with a quarterback, but other than that it seems counterproductive. You win games with good players, not the best available at that time for that position. Seems to me all your draft should be best available, and fill positions needs with undrafted. What has your experience been?

Very, very NFL few teams – if any – entirely avoid overpaying in free agency. If you're going to participate in that world, you're going to overpay because you're paying top-market prices for players whose teams have decided for whatever reason to not re-sign them. As for drafting for best player rather than need … yes, that's the ideal approach. It's very hard to realistically do it all the time. But the more you can lean in that direction, the better your chances of winning consistently.

Mark from Iowa

I do what I do and trust Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen. They will lead us. Young and brilliant minds. Tony is brilliant, just not young.

"Brilliant."

Bradley from Death Valley, CA

The odds are pretty good that Etienne and linebacker Devin Lloyd both just had career years and replacing them is doable and way cheaper. It is prudent and with a nod to the future and overall health of the franchise. Can we project the conventional wisdom starting O-line?

Left tackle Cole Van Lanen, left guard Ezra Cleveland, center Robert Hainsey, right guard Patrick Mekari and right tackle Anton Harrison – second-year veteran Wyatt Milum maybe, maybe pushing somewhere.

John from St. Aug

Keep TLaw = lose ETN + Lloyd. Keep ETN + Lloyd = lose Strange + Washington + Harrison + Johnson ?

What ?

Josh from Atlanta, GA

Looking at all the photos of Chris Rodriguez Jr. getting acquainted with the staff and facility sparked a random thought. Are you ever around for new players' first visits? I wondered what their reactions are to what Jaguars Owner Shad Khan has paid for. We've obviously invested a ridiculous amount of money into team facilities, but so have most other teams with their billion-dollar playgrounds. The Stadium of the Future will likely be ultra sexy, but what about what we have now? Does it stand out as is?

The Jaguars prefer I "steer clear" of players on their first day or two around the Miller Electric Center. I don't make all that great a first impression. Anyone, players included, is generally impressed when they see the MEC. It's not necessarily all that much more striking than other NFL facilities, but – like most NFL facilities these days – it's impressive. Very, very impressive.

Robert from Elkton

Since we are in the "deadish" zone, a question about your streak. Have the tech guys set up a method for you to post the column to the site yourself? Or have there been behind the scenes IT heroes who have moved heaven and earth and data bits to get your column posted through every single holiday, hurricane and kid's graduation?

I assume there are "behind-the-scenes" people who help. This seems reasonable. I can't help but wonder just who they are.