JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it ...

Jason from Da 'Hass

Hi, John. I have been playing catch-up for the last week and a half, so you may have already touched on this, but I was very impressed with Liam's presser after the first day of practice. Of course, he said all the things you expect any coach to say. However, when he spoke about not resting on our laurels, still needing to prove something, obviously finding the edge that will help the team succeed this year … man, it was refreshing. I am really excited to see what this season has in store for the team.

This has been an O-Zone topic at various times in recent months, with Head Coach Liam Coen ensuring it is – or should be – a key topic for anyone around the Jaguars and anyone discussing the Jaguars entering the 2026 season. The Jaguars were a sharp, focused franchise throughout the 2025 season. That wasn't the sole reason they went 13-4 and won the AFC South title, but it's hard to imagine them being that good without that focus and without the edge of which Coen spoke throughout the season. He did a remarkable job channeling that message into this offseason/season's message of maintaining and honing that edge. That message has been heard and is running through the organization. Establishing a tone that players hear and channel sounds easy. It's not – and Coen doing so thus far is a good start to the season. He is extremely good at getting buy in from players. It's one of the attributes that makes him good at what he does.

Ben from East Palatka

Besides quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who do you think is the most coveted player on our team? I like to think it's Travon Walker. No knock to wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or defensive end Josh Hines-Allen or wide receiver Parker Washington.

This depends on who's doing the coveting, but we are of like mind on this one. Defensive end Travon Walker from this view is the Jaguars' second-most important player behind Lawrence. The good thing for the organization is I may be wrong about that because it's far from a clear-cut choice. There are many players very much in the conversation – certainly far more than was the case in many past seasons.

Michael from Mean Streets of Arlington

You say that you don't shoot videos, it seems every time I watch an interview you are trying to sneak into the frame.

I am the king of all funk.

Nick from Palm Coast, FL

Will any of the starters be playing in the preseason games?

Jaguars starters will not play in Preseason Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans Saturday. Starters could play a series or two later in the preseason but that's very much to be determined.

Scott from Gilbert, AZ

Zone, with the plan to get starters the work they need during more controlled practices with the Saints this week in lieu of playing them in the preseason game to avoid injury as much as possible, in conjunction with our growing list of banged up offensive linemen unlikely to dress, do they even run Nick Mullens out there on Saturday? Either way, who is higher on the depth chart and more likely to take snaps first between Joey Aguilar and Carter Bradley?

I expect Mullens to start Saturday. Carter Bradley is the third-team quarterback, and I expect him to play extensively and be the first quarterback playing after Mullens Saturday.

Chris from Sec 225, Formerly Sec 437

Hi, Zone. An observation, not a question, with all the best players at each number now complete. I was surprised at the length of time each player spent with the team and the amount of players I either forgot were with the team or didn't remember at all. I'm sure you are glad this exercise is over!

You're referencing our recent offseason/training camp O-Zone discussion of the best Jaguars players to wear specific numbers, an exercise that concluded Tuesday. The exercise refreshed memories and reminded us of long-forgotten details, as such exercises often do. Many of the players discussed spent more time with the organization than we might have recalled, while I suspect the relatively short Jaguars careers of some memorable names may have surprised many observers. As for being glad the exercise over … this suggests I found it taxing. This is not the case. While we discussed a new number each day, it didn't require all that much work on my part. If it had, I wouldn't have done it.

Daniel from St. J

Special thanks to Kenneth for keeping the best "number x" game alive! It brought back a lot of memories. Could we get a complete list of the winners? And would this team kick some butt in their prime, or what! Go Jags!!!

I do not plan to compile a complete list of "winners" of our numbers discussion. This is partly because listing winners might make the losers feel bad – and goodness knows we're not allowed to make people "feel bad" anymore. Remember … everyone gets a trophy. But it's mostly because of the effort thing. I used to get grades on effort at St. Andrew's Episcopal Day School. That was long, long ago.

Jadon from NC State

And so … we reach No. 99. No better way to pass time in the dead zone. None.

So you say.

Nick from Annapolis, MD

With all this mushy-gushy talk about J.P. Shadrick and Vic Ketchman and 15-year streaks, I realized you were probably concerned if "Nick from Annapolis, MD" is still around. I am here. I have been here through the early days of the internet when the Jaguars were paving the way for fan engagement in the digital era ... through Ketchman starting to my knowledge the original NFL daily mailbag on March 7, 2001 ... through what is commonly referred to as "the handoff" in 2011 ... and, as you have correctly and appropriately bragged about, the continued progression of the best team-sponsored media department in all of sports (I have no idea actually, but we can assume this is the case). It does lead me to wonder, though ... who is really behind it? I credit the Jaguars' fan engagement for why I stuck with the team as an out-of-town fan despite still being a high school teenager very capable of building new loyalties elsewhere in the early 2000s. Was Dan Edwards critical to the early direction of Jaguars' media? Was it the Weavers setting the original tone? Are there other visionaries lurking in the shadows driving this greatness?

Former Senior Vice President of Communications Dan Edwards, who joined the organization before the inaugural season and who retired in 2021, unquestionably set the tone for the Jaguars' transparency that defines Jaguars Media to this day. He realized its value early and therefore allowed "Ask Vic" to be an uncommonly open and "transparent forum" from 2001-2011. He ensured the ensured that tone ran through the O-Zone and all Jaguars media shows so long as he remained with the organization. That continued after his retirement, largely because the people running the organization believed in that approach. That extends to former Owner Wayne Weaver, Owner Shad Khan and President Mark Lamping – as well as multiple head coaches and football leadership. Not every team embraces the sort of fan engagement/transparency the Jaguars have embraced for over 25 years. It takes a village of people understanding the value.

Jim from Orange Park, FL

With J.P. leaving, does that mean you are even going to have to work more? Are there enough hours in the day?

What's "work more?"

Al from Dowling Park, FL

A 2:13 posting? Do you know how much time was wasted across North Florida with employees using their employers' computers refreshing the Jags website looking for the O-Zone? Employee productivity is shot on days like this. Please be kind to local employers in the future.

Blame Shadrick.

Richard from Jacksonville

KOAG's, I think this was the best Dead Zone in your tenure. It was enjoyable to walk down memory lane with best players ever by last name and by jersey number. This may also be the most interesting season. Is it '99 or is it '00? I lean toward continued success but have no expectations of 13 wins. However, I found it ridiculous that their O/U is only 8.5. Has any team made the Super Bowl playing with reduced home games due to construction? As a team playing in an away stadium due to construction? If the Jaguars make the playoffs, would awarded playoff games still be played at Jacksonville this year?

The NFL doesn't "award" postseason games. Teams earn them. Any Jaguars home postseason game for the 2026 season will be played at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

Gabe from Washington, DC

If your favorite part of your job is a 10 and your least favorite is a one, where does the O-Zone land?

What's a "favorite part of your job?"