JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. The Jags are 7-5 when playing the Broncos in Denver. Which probably doesn't justify the optimism I have when we play them in Denver. I guess I attribute it to the 1996 Divisional Playoff back in 1997 at Mile High. Awesome 30–27 upset victory for the Jags, which remains one of my favorite all-time Jaguars games. Should I be worried? I think they got this, we seem to be in a really good place on a nine-game regular season streak, but streaks get broken?

Of course there's a reason for Jaguars fans to be worried about Sunday's game against the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The Broncos are a good, proud, motivated team playing at home in a very tough venue on road teams. They won 14 games last regular season, have a high-end pass rush and are more than capable of winning Sunday. There's also every reason for Jaguars fans to be optimistic. They won 13 games last season and they're a good, motivated team that has shown itself to be very capable of playing well on the road. They have a quarterback playing at a high level and are very confident. They are hot, confident and improving. Remember: This is professional football, not the Southeastern Conference or scripted television. Winning always is hard and you usually must play well to win. You will rarely – if ever – not be nervous entering an NFL game because you don't know the outcome. If you did, why would you care? Why would it be interesting?

Kerry from Millersville, MD

KOAF, I agree it is time to move on from questions about Lloyd and ETN. But I would use those two as reasons I am beginning to believe we may not ever get to a contract extension for Parker. As much as the Jags would like to keep, I am not sure they will be able to "get to" the number that he and his agents believe he can get on the open market. Given the talent in the wide receiver room, the growing belief that quarterback Trevor Lawrence is who we thought he was, and the other contracts that the Jags will be facing soon, I am feeling stronger and stronger the Jags will let him walk. This is not a situation the Jags have faced very often – too many good players to pay them all – but one they will run into more if they continue to draft and develop well. One of the few downsides to being a top team is not being able to keep all the guys you want to keep. I think that by the end of the year the Jags will be looking at Brian Thomas Jr. (long-term player), Jakobi Meyers ('til 2028), and the young guys as the future at wide receiver. So, I think the Jags will be in the same position that they were with Lloyd and ETT, guys they wanted to keep but deemed replaceable given the cost, the position strength and overall team dynamic. Thoughts?

We are probably reaching the point where we're overanalyzing the Parker Washington Contract Situation (PWCS), but what's the O-Zone for if not for a little overanalyzing? A couple of thoughts on your thoughts. One is that the Jaguars never made strong efforts to re-sign running back Travis Etienne Jr. or linebacker Devin Lloyd. While they liked both players, positional value and internal analysis made allowing them to move on comparatively easy decisions. They by contrast already have made strong efforts to re-sign wide receiver Parker Washington and I expect they will continue to do so. Remember, too: Washington is not an unrestricted free agent until next March and they have the franchise tag as an option for 2027. There's a loooong way to go in this story.

Tym from Southside, FL

Hey O-Zone, I did some Google AI research about Denver's homefield advantage after hearing you mention the usual three-point favoritism given to a home team by oddsmakers. It says that they often give the Broncos a four-to-five-point edge in their early-season home games, instead of three. This is because of the high altitude and its compounding effect on opposing players' early-season conditioning. The Broncos have a historical 77 percent win rate (dating back 50 years) in September home games.

Well, goodie on them, I suppose.

HD from Jacksonville

As much as Parker Washington has been such an intricate part of the Jags' success in the last 12 months, is it fair to start adjusting our fans expectations around signing players to new contracts with the new coaching and front office staffs constantly refilling the cupboard and having quality players waiting on the wings to get their opportunity? And doesn't it also become a self-fulfilling prophecy for players with high ceilings that they will want to go to Jacksonville as they know they will get their opportunity to shine if they put the work in and show they have the skills?

I don't know that the PWCS symbolizes anything as much as it a case of good, ascending player wanting to be paid one amount and the team wanting to pay a lesser amount. Remember: It's hard to analyze the wheres and whys of a contract situation without knowing dollar amounts, and we don't know the dollar amounts here. That said, teams that draft and develop absolutely face different decisions than teams that do not – and part of drafting and developing well is often not being able to re-sign all good players. And yes … the Jaguars' approach to playing the best players regardless of contract or draft status unquestionably makes the team attractive for young players. That approach doesn't happen everywhere in the NFL.

Scooter from St. Augustine, FL

The Jaguars were mentioned by many broadcasters Sunday and Monday. Jag-Wires, Jag-U-Ars and Jag-Wars. Which is correct? Or is it Always The "JAGS!"

It's Jag-Wars and it was always the Jags.

Mark from Davenport

I look forward to Friday mornings when I catch up on Jaguars HD. I am impressed with how transparent Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli and General Manager James Gladstone are with their thoughts and assessments. I wonder how much sleep Gladstone gets, because it seems his mind is always going. Gladstone has a difficult job and it looks like he does it with ease. I would bet that behind the scenes he is close to the same. What can you tell us about how Gladstone is behind the scenes?

I am not around Gladstone "behind the scenes" nearly as much as many in the organization. I have been around him enough – and heard enough about him – to tell you that what you see when Gladstone speaks publicly is close to what happens behind the scenes. He is of high-end intelligence and communicates at a very high level. These traits serve him well when trying to build and help oversee something as complex as an NFL team and personnel department. The calm, measured approach serves him equally well. You don't want someone making personnel decisions while they're punching holes – and yelling through – office walls. That stuff benefits no one.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, if the Jags' offensive line performs like it did against the Browns, the Broncos' defensive backs are in for a world of pain.

OK.

Not Average Joe from Jax

KOAF. Fun Fact: Every Jaguar on the active roster played in the Cleveland game. That has to be rare. Another Fun Fact: Since the 1900s ended, the Jaguars are 4-1 (80 percent win percentage) in Denver. After the Jags beat Denver Sunday, is there any procedure in place for the Jaguars to request moving their home games to Denver for the 2027 season?

All active players playing in NFL game is rare except in one-sided victories and teams play their backup quarterbacks. In those situations, it's not as rare because most backups play special teams. The Jaguars will not request to play home games in Denver – and don't discount the Broncos' homefield advantage. It's real and not to be underestimated or mocked.

Colin from Fruit Cove, FL

Hey, John. Have you been in the Stadium of the Future Sales Center yet? Is it worth a trip downtown for someone interested in getting 2028 tickets?

No. I expect it is.

Brad from The Avenues

I don't expect that winning a Super Bowl will earn us respect. Two in a row should do it though.

Advice from an old man who has seen a lot of NFL teams and seasons: Stop worrying about fans and observers respecting your team. There will be someone, somewhere waiting to criticize your team no matter how much your team wins – and when that happens, you will feel disrespected. Enjoy the victories. Feel good about them. Savor them. That's what you will remember more than what people who don't matter say about your team.