JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
JAY from THE BURG, FL
I know Travon Walker, due to circumstance, will always be compared to Aidan Hutchinson. And I realize when they say, "Does that player fit that team's system?", what that really means is, "What sacrifice is that player willing to make for the team?" If the coach decides they want a pass rush where the primary goal is to contain the quarterback, play the run first. You won't see spin moves or swim moves; you will see the No. 1 rush defense in the league. I have always liked the idea of moving Travon around the line of scrimmage. Let someone else set the edge. Walker's real gift is to pursue. That's when I see former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood or former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt – and that will have the potential to make everyone better.
Defensive end Travon Walker, who signed a contract extension with the Jaguars last week, is an intriguing storyline – one that involves perception and reality, and one that involves how observers see the NFL versus how those who build teams often see it. Yes, he will always be compared to Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson because Walker was selected No. 1 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft with Hutchinson selected No. 2 overall in the same draft. Hutchinson in the view of many always will compare favorably because his sacks numbers have exceeded those of Walker. But while you say Walker's real gift is to pursue, the thought here is his "true gifts" are many – and they include toughness, stoutness, the ability to set the edge, the ability to pursue, the versatility to be able to play multiple positions. While Walker's sacks numbers could limit his postseason honors, were he ever to hit free agency he would be one of the most coveted players on the market. Were it not for the football world's obsession with sacks, he would be routinely discussed as one of the NFL's best defensive linemen. He also not coincidentally sets the tone for the Jaguars' defense – and he has a level of toughness that stands out in a tough man's league. I absolutely expect Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile to move Walker around the front moving forward, something Walker increasingly did last season. And that will make everyone better.
Tyler from Palm Coast, FL
Hey, O. (Short-time listener, first-time asker here). Could you ever see Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. being traded this upcoming draft? I saw one potential deal with the Los Angeles Rams trading their, I believe, 16th overall pick along with a third- and fourth-round pick. Also: If a trade were to happen, what position do you think the team would pick? Possibly Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq as a Brenton Strange successor? Thanks for your time, you rock.
I don't expect the Jaguars to trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. this offseason, and I don't expect the Jaguars to seek a successor for tight end Brenton Strange any time soon. Strange has emerged as one of the NFL's best young tight ends and a core player for this team. From this view, he has become as important as any Jaguars offensive player other than quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars' priority isn't finding a successor for Strange. The priority is signing him to a long-term contract extension.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Blue, no wait.
Jadon from Raleigh, NC
Hidden in the 2024 season, when we went 4-12 and Pug Dederson was fired, were two gems: The debut of "TrEver Bank" and the shell white helmets (used in an awful combination). Any idea when we could get those again? Trevor seems deserving of that now, and we need to see the white helmets in a whiteout game as Minnesota is known for doing well.
I'm not sure we need to be in a huuuuge rush to see TrEverBank Stadium again – though that's purely speaking from my own sad little point of view. As for a return of the white helmets or a whiteout game … I get no sense such a game is imminent.
Amy from Jacksonville
No question, just a clarification. Regarding Walker not being "mad" about a lose, please remember this. Dogs get mad, people get angry.
Remember this: It's "l-o-s-s."
Alan from Ellington, CT
Dexter Lawrence. Do you think we could afford him? Draft compensation as well as salary cap? I'm not big on mortgaging the future but that would be one awesome D line. I'm thinking of how the Seahawks won this past year.
Lawrence, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the New York Giants from 2022-2024, reportedly has requested a trade. New York Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh said after the request that he believed Lawrence wanted to remain with the Giants and called the prospects for that happening "high." Could the Jaguars afford Lawrence if the Giants were willing to trade? Sure, teams can usually figure a way to afford most anything. But Lawrence likely would cost at least a future first-round selection along with a first- or second-round selection. And the reason he's unhappy with the Giants is he wants an increase from the $18.5 million he earned this past season – an increase that likely would mean a multi-year extension. That might be a bit more at the high end of affordable than the Jaguars would consider smart roster management.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
What is Trevor Lawrence's ceiling?
I confess I've never been to Lawrence's house, though I expect this may be a case of the guy at the security gate mishearing instructions. I would hope he has cathedral ceilings. I've always admired those.
Yetidaddy from Nowhere and Yet Somewhere
Mighty O, Master of your Universe (as long as Mrs. O agrees), I am good with the team playing in Orlando (like my opinion matters), but will the team be offering season tickets to current season ticket holders while they play in Orlando? Will those ticket holders get to pick their seats, how will that all work?
Information regarding 2027 Jaguars season tickets – and season tickets for other seasons -- will be updated regularly here. The information now is as follows: "Information regarding 2027 season ticket availability and purchase opportunities to catch the Jaguars in action at Camping World Stadium in Orlando will be provided to our members as soon as it is available and ahead of any general public notice."
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF - I think asking the owner for an office is too low of a target for you. Instead, plea for a yacht that is a one person mini-sized version of the owner's. Go big or go home.
Good eye.
Dinkus from Gainesville, FL
If the Washington Post can't get the facts correct, perhaps they should stay in their lane?
This references a recent Washington Post editorial in which the once-legendary newspaper criticized the City of Jacksonville, the Jaguars and the Stadium of the Future concept. The editorial took the stance that the stadium agreement cost the city too much and that taxpayers are footing too much of the bill. This is not an uncommon stance by editorial boards when discussing stadium deals – and there's always legitimate discussion about how much taxpayers should pay for professional sports stadiums. And discussion is fine. The reality about the Stadium of the Future is this: NFL rules mandate that a certain amount of public money be involved in most stadium projects – and Jacksonville being a smaller market meant that a greater percentage of the funding be public than would have been the case in a smaller market. The taxpayer cost in the Stadium of the Future project in that sense must be viewed as the price for Jacksonville having an NFL team. I have no idea if it was too high or low, but it was the price. Remember, too: There once was a time when editorials at once-prominent newspapers could be counted upon to be something close to gospel – well-researched, well-thought-out and therefore having great merit. As someone who started my career in that era, I remember it fondly.
Austin from Houghton, MI
Mr. Senior Writer, do you think the Jags are in line to swing three or more pick-for-player trades between now and the trade deadline like they did last year? Should that be the team building approach that the fans should expect/look forward to year in and year out?
I don't know if the Jaguars will or should make three such trades between now and the 2026 trade deadline. I do expect Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone believes in the benefit of acquiring players that way and will always try to structure the roster/salary cap in a way that allows the Jaguars to do so.
Kevin from Jacksonville
I thought for a long time I didn't like you very much. It turns out I have a "good eye."
Sounds like it.
