JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Fred from Naples, FL

I am not sure I understand the value in the Tyson Campbell trade for Greg Newsome. He is finally healthy for the first time in three seasons and has played relatively well.

The Jaguars on Thursday acquired cornerback Greg Newsome II in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, sending cornerback Tyson Campbell to the Browns in the deal. The Jaguars also sent a seventh-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Browns while receiving a '26 sixth-round selection. We will discuss the deal fairly extensively in this Friday O-Zone because Campbell when healthy was a good and popular player for this organization for the past four seasons or so. Specific to your question … yes, Campbell was fully healthy for the first time in a while. And he played relatively well at times. But the Jaguars believe they're a better team with Newsome, that he plays the football better in the air than Campbell and that he will improve an increasingly strong position overall. The trade also will save the Jaguars more than $40 million on the salary cap moving forward. While that savings was not in any way the reason for the trade, it's also not insignificant. This was not a difficult decision for the Jaguars. It's one they feel will help in the short- and long-term future.

Jeff from Grassvalley, CA

No way anyone thought we would be sitting here at 4-1. So, I am going to trust Mr. Gladstone and this new regime. Tyson Campbell: Farewell, young man. You are one of my favorites. Mr. Newsome, Welcome to the Jags! There is a standard being put in place here. A fan base that will accept you, but you gotta earn it. #NewJagsWay!

Campbell understandably was a fan favorite. He carried himself with class and professionalism, and did things on and off field the right way. Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone has proven he will be bold and will not be tied to the past when making decisions about this team. He showed this again Thursday. I don't doubt that Newsome will be comfortable earning his way into the standard being put in place. That's how the NFL works.

Armand from Atlantic Beach, FL

Shout out to the general manager. He's managing the salary cap for the long-term so we can re-sign ETN, Lloyd and others.

Gladstone is certainly managing the short-term with an eye on the long-term. Time will tell the Jaguars' approach to re-signing running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Devin Lloyd and others. We're five games into this season. We'll see how this looks when we're deeper than that.

Doug from Jacksonville

Is the trade of Tyson Campbell purely a financial decision due to the size of his contract, or do you think the coaching staff saw performance-related issues?

The Jaguars did not trade Campbell for financial reasons.

Jaxson from De Ville

Holy airball. Did we just get a true lockdown corner? When do you expect to see him on the field?

Time will tell if Newsome is a "true lockdown" corner for the Jaguars. I expect he could be active Sunday, with playing time increasing thereafter.

Rick from Greenville, SC

Will the Campbell trade help to re-sign defensive end Travon Walker and Lloyd?

It won't hurt.

Brendan from The Banana Patch

How is Monheim doing? I know he came in late for Hainsey, and I told my dad, "We just need some quality snaps out of the rookie." You see this game being more of a challenge up front for the O-Line?

Rookie center Jonah Monhein, a seventh-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft, played 17 snaps against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday after starter Robert Hainsey left with a hamstring injury. Hainsey missed practice with the injury Wednesday and Thursday. If Hainsey can't play, the Jaguars have extraordinary confidence in Monheim and believe he will play well. The Seahawks' defensive front might be the best the Jaguars have faced this season. It's a significant challenge for the Jaguars' offensive line.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the offseason notion surrounding Campy — not about acquiring him, but about how a better coordinator and scheme could unlock a defense that clearly underperformed its talent last year. A few of us O-Zoners noted that if Campy turned this group into a top-tier unit, it could fast-track him into head coach conversations. Now that the defense is forcing more turnovers than anyone could have dreamed, I'm wondering: should one outstanding season make a coordinator a head coach? Desperate teams often make bold, risky moves that can look brilliant if they work — but if this unit keeps performing at/near this level, should I be slightly concerned about hiring again by April?

I expect Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile will be a head coach in the NFL. Time will tell the timing, though recent history tells us NFL owners are looking for quality candidates without as much concern about age and experience as once was the case.

Ed from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

We saw two awesome NFL quarterbacks lose last week and we still have fans that are not entirely in the TL wagon? What does it take? The next 12 games TL with105 rating? Give me a break.

I suspect it will take a while before the entire Jaguars fan base embraces quarterback Trevor Lawrence. I suspect there will be some who never embrace him. Lawrence from this view has made some strides in Head Coach Liam Coen's offense and he needs to make some more significant strides in some important areas.

Aaron from White Hall, AR

Has Liam Coen lost weight since he got here? He looks thinner.

Yes. Yes, he does.

Chevin from Lloydside, Jacks0nville, FL

For what seems like decades, the United States Tennis Association has employed the "Cyclops" machine technology which uses a sort of laser technology to detect whether a tennis ball is in or out of bounds. Why doesn't the NFL use similar technology to determine whether an NFL player is in or out of bounds?

The NFL uses "Hawk-Eye" technology to measure first downs as of 2025. I would expect expanded use of this technology moving forward if successful.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

Just how good has Jaguars rookie running back LeQuint Allen Jr. been?

Quite.

Jaguar Jake from Hawthorne, NJ

Hey, O-Zone. I'm having déjà vu here. The Jaguars look good, I'm fired up, and I'm already telling myself "this year feels different." But then I remember two seasons ago – 2023 – when they started 8-3, had me clearing my January calendar and then fell apart down the stretch by losing five of six and missing the playoffs. That heartbreak still lingers. So, be honest: Should I believe things really are different this time, or am I just strapping myself back into the same old emotional rollercoaster?

The NFL is real life, not scripted television. The not knowing is what makes it so compelling. But remember: Injuries to Lawrence and wide receiver Christian Kirk had a large role in wrecking that 2023 season. I expect this team is more resilient than that team and could better navigate such circumstances. But injuries can't be controlled and they can wreck seasons.

Tim from Fernandina Beach, Fl

John: Doesn't Tyson Campbell's cap hit this year along with the residual contract of Newsome constrain the Jags from making personnel moves this year? What will the accelerated cap hit next do to affect signing core players like Travon Walker or Devon Lloyd?

The Jaguars have ways to clear salary-cap room to make moves this season, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Jaguars made more moves in the coming weeks. The Jaguars will be able to sign players such as Lloyd and Walker moving forward if that is their intent.

Brett from Saint Augustine, FL

Is it possible that the trade is a smart move to get a compensatory pick when Newsome hits free agency? I'm not saying it's the only reason, but he should sign a fairly hefty free agent contract, which leads to a higher compensatory pick.

Yes, Newsome would become an unrestricted free agent if the Jaguars opt not to re-sign him and that departure would positively figure into NFL's compensatory draft selection formula for the Jaguars.

Armand from Jacksonville

KOAF, thank you and a shout out to you for telling it like you see it.

I am the king of all funk.

Brian from ROUND ROCK, TX

I was bummed that coach decided to be angry about the big win. It should be a game that builds confidence and positive vibes. It should generate big momentum. Maybe he can't handle the Trevor Lawrence Experience. Is say embrace it. It's here to stay. What say you?

I say sometimes it's difficult to get a feel for vibes and confidence from 1,033 miles away. This is true even if those observing from said distance possess the gift of unearned confidence.