JACKSONVILLE – His work and resilience continue.

That's fine for Ventrell Miller. He has been through difficult times in the NFL, and he has been through good times. During all those times, the Jaguars' linebacker has persevered – and he usually has done so with a smile and a simple approach.

"You always have to control what you control," he said.

Miller, entering his fourth NFL season, joined senior writer John Oehser for this 2026 offseason O-Zone podcast as 2026 Organized Team Activities continued this week at the Miller Electric Center. He discussed multiple topics, including the Jaguars' approach this offseason after winning the 2025 AFC South title with a 13-4 record.

"Everybody's coming out to work, trying to build from last year, not necessarily looking back at last year, but how can we get better?" said Miller, a fourth-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2023 NFL Draft from the University of Florida. "There's no point of dwelling on what you did last year, but staying focused on how can we get better this year. Let's put the cleats on and do it this year."

Miller, who started nine games in 2024 and two in 2025, also discussed his opportunity this season to enter a season as a starter for the first time in his NFL career.

"I'm excited for the year," he said. "I also know nothing is really handed to you, so I have to go out and work and earn whatever I get. So, I'm excited. I feel like things are falling into place for me a little bit, getting to know the system better the second year in, so I'm feeling confident and comfortable going into it this year."

Miller also discussed how he has dealt with adversity throughout his football career. He missed all but two games in 2021 with a torn bicep, then sustained a foot injury in 2022 that kept him out of the pre-draft process.

"I remember being hurt a lot in college and stuff, so I guess my words always have been being resilient," he said. "Whenever you're going through hard, hard things, challenging things, keep your head down and keep grinding, keep getting through things and keep being resilient. Don't let it affect you too much."

He has since taken the same approach. Miller entered last season as a co-starter with linebacker Devin Lloyd, who emerged as an All-Pro selection in 2026 before signing with the Carolina Panthers as an unrestricted free agent. Miller played at a high level when the opportunity arose last season and said he won't change moving forward.

"That's the most important thing," Miller said. "Don't let the outside things impact your attitude when you come into the building because you're just not going to get better dwelling on stuff like that. It's always keeping a positive attitude with things, coming out trying to get better each and every day."

To hear the entire O-Zone Podcast with Miller, please click HERE.