JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Tom from Moncks Corner
The rule of thumb when it comes to players with extra-large contracts is that "they make too much money to have them sitting on the bench." That is the case with Trevor. My belief is it would be better to draft a quarterback – and if he proves to be better than Trevor, play him. He would be on a rookie contract and the output would cost the same regardless of which one starts and which one sits. Isn't the ultimate goal to win games?
Trevor Lawrence will start for the Jaguars (4-3) Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., because he's their best quarterback – and Lawrence is their starting quarterback this season because the franchise believes he's the right player to be the starting quarterback moving forward. He also is in his first season in a new offensive system, and the Jaguars are 4-3 through seven games. He has played well at times this season and he has struggled at times this season in some familiar areas of struggle such as accuracy and decision-making. He must be more consistent in a lot of areas than has been the case this season. If at the end of the season the people running the Jaguars believe Lawrence is the best option, then they will continue in that direction. If they don't believe he is the best option, there's no reason to think they wouldn't sign a veteran or draft a rookie to compete with him. Because … yes, the goal is to win games.
John from Jacksonville
A little bye week ruminating led me to this question. Why don't they have a vertical white line when reviewing a touchdown? It would remove any doubt whether the ball crossed the plane. If they can do a virtual measurement why couldn't they do this?
The virtual measurement – Hawk-Eye – system the NFL implemented this season to quickly determine first downs still depends on human referees to spot the ball. The "white line" of which you speak to determine if the ball crossed the goal-line plane would indeed show the ball cross that white line, but an argument could be made in some instances about camera angle or inches and therefore not solve the issue. Still, I would expect similar technology to be used for this situation someday. Probably comparatively soon.
Mike from Daytona Beach, FL
Bradley from Death Valley appropriately pointed out that "the Jags' last five games featured opponents with the number 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 defenses in the league. The back half of the schedule features defenses that can be exploited." (Like me, Bradley got the memo too late that the difference between the first- and 32nd-ranked defenses can be "fractional or simply inconsequential towards earning victories." Nevertheless, I am confident that we all agree on one thing - Roll Jags!!!
Sometimes you reach and it doesn't reach back.
David from Broward County
O-Man. We are through the bye week after two real stinkers Ls. Truly appreciate the team being very transparent, sharing Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen's team meeting clip where he takes full responsibility also asking the players to do the same. We are going to learn a lot about this team and several players this Sunday at 4 p.m. – specifically Trevor, the offensive line and wide receivers. Does this team have the discipline and focus to eliminate the self-inflicted mistakes drops and penalties, and execute to a fast start? They haven't been able to do it over seven weeks. We shall see. Your thoughts?
A few thoughts on your thoughts. A first thought is that I wouldn't call an eight-point loss to the Seattle Seahawks three weeks ago "a real stinker," though I can certainly still smell the loss to the Los Angeles Rams a week later. A second thought is I do believe we'll learn a lot about the maturity and state of this team Sunday, with the Raiders game from this view a tougher task than many observers believe. As for your question about playing cleaner and starting fast … it's a fair one. It's what I'll be watching most closely Sunday.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. I can predict your inbox on Sunday evening and Monday. If we win, it won't mean much because the opponent has a bad record. If we lose, it will be ugly because the opponent has a bad record. Fans will indeed fan.
It's what they do.
Justin from NYC
How has Greg Newsome played since the trade? Has he been a weak point?
Cornerback Greg Newsome II allowed a long touchdown pass to Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in his first game after joining the Jaguars in a trade with the Cleveland Browns for cornerback Tyson Campbell. He played better the following week against the Rams. He has not overall been a weak point and there is confidence he will improve as he continues to adjust to the Jaguars' defensive scheme.
Woody from Dunlap
KOAF: When considering how "good" a quarterback is, I think we often underestimate the importance of that quarterback having a strong, quick tight end with good hands. When Tom Brady moved to Tampa Bay, he moved heaven and earth to lure tight end Rob Gronkowski out of retirement in order to win yet another Super Bowl. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had Travis Kelce as his "go to" for many years now in Kansas City. Peyton Manning had Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts), John Elway had Shannon Sharpe (Denver Broncos), Dan Fouts had Kellen Winslow (San Diego Chargers), Ken Stabler had Dave Casper (Oakland Raiders), and (showing my age) John Unitas had John Mackey (Baltimore Colts) – to name a few such combinations off the top of my head). When Trevor had Evan Engram on the field with him, the Jags had that impressive run of victories in 2023-24. For the first few games of 2025, Trevor had Benton Strange, and the Jags were winning. I think the injury to Strange has been a significant blow to Trevor and the entire team.
Yes, it has.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
John. Travis Hunter's impact plays and stats have not yet matched his hype or potential. But for those paying close attention, there have been flashes of his electrifying talent. What are some of the "intangibles" that you have noticed when Hunter is on the field? And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Go Jags!
I've noticed tangibles about Hunter more than intangibles. Athletic ability. Ability to track the ball when it's in the air. Footwork. Ability to make people miss. Reliable hands. Catch radius. It's all there.
Nick from Annapolis, MD
Possibly it might be helpful to remind some of those who believe Lawrence just isn't capable of being a very good NFL quarterback of the 17-game stretch he had prior to the injury sustained against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 season. Those stats were 389 of 574 (67.8%) for 4,313 yards (7.5 yards per attempt) with 23 touchdowns to 9 interceptions and a 96.7 rating. While maybe not elite, pretty darned good for a third-year ascending quarterback. He needs to play better than he currently is to be "worth" the contract he signed and have the Jaguars be perennial contenders for the AFC crown, but he obviously has the ability to do it.
Yep.
Jake from Cary, NC
I'm going to have to agree with Steve from CLT. Given our extensive history we are the same old Jags until proven otherwise. With this in mind, your recent comment that "Elite is probably at least another offseason away" made me laugh out loud. I wish I had your optimism about how fast this sort of thing could be turned around.
I don't know what "this sort of thing" means. I do know the Jaguars are 4-3 with a victory this season over the three-time defending AFC Champions. That doesn't mean the Jaguars automatically will be elite in 2026. It does mean the whole "same old Jags" thing may be at the point of being a bit tired.
Bryan from Yorkshire, VA
I'm sorry, but "throwing the ball too hard" should definitely not be a thing in this league. How many quarterbacks have we had in our history who we wished had a strong arm and/or couldn't "make all the throws?" Now we have one who has a strong arm and we're upset about it?? Yes, granted he could have a little better touch on some shorter throws, but my goodness, this is the NFL. You get paid very well to be one of the best individuals in the world to catch a football, whether it comes at you hard, soft or "just right." I can't imagine someone telling Dan Marino or Brett Favre to stop throwing the ball with velocity because their receivers can't catch the ball.
They probably wouldn't have mentioned it to John Elway, either.
