JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Mark from Orange Park, FL

I sure hope the team gets things figured out and starts winning and that it doesn't take a few seasons to be a consistently good team. Fan apathy would look worse than tarps in the Stadium of the Future.

The Jaguars are 4-3 entering a Week 8 bye, with that record coming against a strong early-season schedule. If the season ended today, they would be in the postseason. If they have a winning season this season, they would have had winning seasons in three of the last four years. They have victories this season over three teams with winning records, including a victory over the best team in the NFL over the last decade – the Kansas City Chiefs – and another over a perennially-strong franchise, the San Francisco 49ers. The last two weeks have been tough. But the overall season this season generally has been "winning." I understand that the Jaguars overall have struggled too much the last decade and a half. I understand those struggles have colored fans' perception of this team. But where the Jaguars are right now in this season is what contending looks like. If they contend for the postseason they will have done so in three of four seasons. They're not currently a dismal franchise. They have in fact been sort of middling-to-above-middling over the last four seasons. The idea now is to get into the realm of the perennial contenders. That's the next step and it's a difficult step. It feels like the Jaguars are moving toward it. Stay tuned.

Brian from Round Rock, TX

I think injuries to Strange, Walker and Lloyd are a big part of the drop in play. Those might be our best players. Observers apparently think it's no biggie. What say you, King of all Funk?

I agree that injuries to tight end Brenton Strange, defensive end Travon Walker and linebacker Devin Lloyd – particularly to Strange and Walker – have hurt the Jaguars in recent weeks. I don't think it's a coincidence that the Jaguars felt like the more physical team in most games early in the season and have not felt that way since Strange and Walker were injured. I don't think it's a coincidence the Jaguars haven't run as well since Strange's injury. I don't think it's a coincidence they're not as good defensively since Walker's injury. That doesn't explain all Jaguars issues in recent weeks because one thing usually doesn't explain all NFL issues, but I do think it's an important factor. Why wouldn't it be?

Rob from Jax

I want to be fair. I don't want to pile on, but can you please try – just try, to explain how Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence still doesn't seem to understand throwing the ball away while out of the pocket is better than taking the sack or running out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage. Thanks, O.

He could be better at this. And I can't really explain it.

Jason from North Pole, Ak

It does not feel like a coincidence that the running game fell apart right after Brenton Strange got injured. That dude is really good at setting the edge, getting to the second level, and creating cutback lanes kicking out on the backside of zone. Any idea what his timeline might be at this point?

Relatively soon after the bye, but perhaps not immediately. The sooner the better. He's really good.

Travis from High Springs, FL

Earlier in the season the offensive line looked vastly improved. The last two weeks they've really bad. Do you believe this was just two bad matchups in a row? Or now that the rest of the NFL has had five games of film to study Head Coach Liam Coen with the Jags, they've started to figure out what they're trying to do?

The Jaguars' offensive line from this view is a good group and perhaps not a great group, and it's a group that can play at a high level when it plays well. It doesn't seem to be a group that will play very well when it's in difficult down-and-distance situations or when it's trailing by large amounts. Those are situations in which it's hard to have a good run-pass balance and perhaps above all else this is a line that needs a good run-pass balance. That's also true of the vast majority of NFL offensive lines.

Clyde from Jacksonville

I'm no expert, but seems ever since Strange went down, the offensive has gotten worse each week. Strange is a very good tight end, so we really miss him this much?

I don't know how to specifically quantify how much the Jaguars miss Strange. But he's the Jaguars' best offensive player from this view, and they do miss him.

Vinny from Jacksonville

It looks like Trevor has been hesitant to let the ball go at times, taking sacks instead of checking down or throwing it away. What are you seeing from him in terms of field vision and confidence in those situations?

Some of what you're seeing.

Justin from NYC

I've always had the view that it all starts up front, and that the teams with the best lines enable everyone else to look like stars. However, too often I see teams draft specialty players at the top of the draft. If I were the general manager, I would prioritize drafting an offensive AND defensive linemen every year in my top three picks. Are there any teams in the NFL that are known for going heavy every year with drafting linemen at the top of the draft?

The Philadelphia Eagles from this view lean in this direction, which is a reason they have been really good much of the last decade. Most teams say they want to emphasize the lines and there are teams that emphasize them more than others. The issue becomes when theory becomes reality. If you're drafting at No. 10 overall, for example, and there are higher-graded players at other positions than line when you're drafting, it's very hard to convince yourself to take the lower-graded lineman.

Wayne from Jacksonville

If you could bring three past Jaguars in their primes to play for the current team, who would pick?

I would bring back left tackle Tony Boselli, wide receiver Jimmy Smith and running back Fred Taylor because they're the best players in franchise history and Hall-of-Fame-level players. Hall-of-Fame-level players always make you better.

Don from Marshall NC

Obviously nobody can defend the play of Trevor Lawrence. He lacks the confidence to play at a high level consistently. He has no pocket sense and gets rattled easily. He has no touch with the short passes or the long passes. He doesn't inspire his teammates and that's not good. The Jaguars need to seriously look at finding a replacement. He is a lot like Blaine Gabbert in that they seem to be fool's gold. I feel terrible for saying this, but we have to be real about it. His play is not even comparable to the play of first-year rookies and he is one of the highest paid players in the league. I have supported all his ups and downs with hope for the future but now I just want to see him get a haircut! Go Jaguars!

When it comes to Lawrence, Don apparently is somewhat disturbingly "all out."

Travis from DUUUUUVVALLLL

Travis Hunter is WR1 and CB1. I think the whole football world sees it. When will this organization start utilizing him as such???

The idea from the time the Jaguars selected wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft was to manage his snaps, with the idea that he would play full-time both ways when he was ready. He indeed appears close to ready. Stay tuned.

RMS from Jacksonville

If you look at it logically, I come up with thirteen teams that would likely trade their quarterback for Trevor straight up. You could argue four or so of those, so go with nine. For those wanting to get rid of Trevor, ask yourself why those teams are still looking for their guy. Everyone wants "elite," but finding it can be elusive and painful.

Good eye.

Sal from Austin, TX

Journalists also "fan." Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had a good stretch last year when he was performing at a high level, and of course we started hearing from Jacksonville media that he was special. Now, with a larger data set, it shows that he doesn't go across the middle, but does the media own its exaggeration? And this isn't a knock on BTJ. He takes the field in a violent sport. If fanning is misguided sometimes, maybe the media could ameliorate some of that.

Journalists don't fan, or at least they should always try very hard not to fan. They can be wrong because they're human.

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

Looking for some positives, we are 1-0 in the division and only have one conference loss.

Yep.