JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Kenneth from Orange Park, FL

Longtime reader, first-time writer. I'm confused. It seems like the Jaguars aren't going to sign ETN or Lloyd – and moreover, it seems like you're OK with that and even support it. These are two core players. Aren't we drafting and developing?

I'm sorry you're confused. Confusion can be … well, confusing. I don't know for certain the Jaguars' offseason free-agent plans – or any of their offseason plans, for that matter. I do know generally how the NFL works and how good organizations must operate – and because the Jaguars are a good organization, I suspect they will have to make wise, forward-looking decisions this offseason. Those decisions are often difficult because those decisions often mean having to allow popular players who appear to be core players sign elsewhere in free agency when the salary cap and NFL reality dictates. This in the Jaguars' case this offseason likely means having to part ways with linebacker Devin Lloyd and very likely also parting ways with running back Travis Etienne Jr. This doesn't mean the Jaguars aren't drafting and developing; drafting and developing actually often means drafting and developing and having to choose which well-drafted and well-developed players to retain after their rookie contracts expire. This also doesn't mean the Jaguars don't like Etienne and Lloyd. They love them as people and players – and both were key parts of the 2025 AFC South Championship season. But they also are pending unrestricted free agents at positions that historically can be productive with young and/or lower-priced players. Lloyd had a very good season, but it's difficult in the NFL to pay big long-term money to intercepting linebackers. Etienne had a very good season, but it's difficult in the NFL to pay big long-term money to second-contract running backs. This paragraph doesn't mean the Jaguars absolutely won't retain either player. But NFL reality means it will be difficult.

Bill from Jacksonville

All I know is they better sign Lloyd. I thought the idea was to get better, not worse. We have momentum. Let's not lose it now.

The consternation around the Jaguars potentially not re-signing Lloyd is understandable. He made many good, important plays this past season. But the mark of a good team is not re-signing all good, young players to second contracts. The mark of a good team is drafting well enough and consistently enough to have to make decisions on which good, young players to sign to second contracts. That's the Jaguars' task this offseason for the first time in a long time.

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

I keep seeing the idea of bringing Maxx Crosby in. My first thought is "we're already set on our EDGES, and need DESPERATE help at interior defensive line." I was replying on X to someone saying as much ... and then thought about Travon Walker kicking inside, with the addition of Crosby. How realistic is that from a "he would be a good fit, and likely have success there perspective?" Would we be feasibly able to put him in comparable-to-live game situations before making that move to be able to verify that? If we could, and he went on to during the season ... the thought of him doing that and coming in at fullback in situations like that fourth-and-1 Trev slipped on against Denver makes me wanna bust through a series of walls.

You're a bit "all over the place," but what is the O-Zone if not a forum for weaving and bobbing around a bit? While I expect the Jaguars to be active in the offseason either via trade or veteran free agency, I don't know that that means they will be involved on a level quiiiiite so price as Las Vegas Raiders edge defender Maxx Crosby. And while defensive end Travon Walker indeed is as tough and physical a player as is on the Jaguars' roster, I don't know that he's the end-all be-all answer to All Things Short Yardage. With rare exceptions, good short-yardage offense is about quality offensive line play, execution and play-calling. The size and power of the runner is part of it. But just a part. Unless you're Josh Allen. Then it's often all about you.

Adam from Round Here

Just confirming, I think I read in Fridays O-Zone you are paying for an all-expense-paid party for all your O-Zone readers. That is extremely generous of you. Thank You. Will there be a shuttle bus?

Wait. What?

Michael from Jacksonville

Who ya got in the Olympics? Or do you even care?

I enjoy the Olympics, though I admit this enjoyment is in part nostalgia and in part because I – like most of society these days – am unavoidably drawn to things that are on television. I also am a bit of a sucker for the seeing youthful excellence in moments for which these youthful athletes have worked their entire lives. As I get older, I appreciate more that these moments are life-defining and that we're watching moments they'll always remember and never get back. Or something like that. I, like most people watching, know little about the events in the Winter Games. But they're cool. And they are on television. There is no denying that they are on television.

Edward from Orange Park, FL

I tried to watch the Olympic ceremony. Couldn't get through it. Is this what the next two weeks will be? Is it football season yet.

I liked the opening ceremonies. Go figure.

Kevin from Jacksonville Jeff from JACKSONVILLE BEACH

If NFL goal is to have more weekends to sell on television, couldn't that be accomplished by keeping the season at 17 games and adding an extra bye week for all teams. Then could also open possibility teams have bye before Thursday games, maybe even could have Wednesday game if teams had bye of previous week.

Your idea seemingly has merit, because it would give the NFL the financial benefit of added prime-time games – which are big revenue generators – while seemingly giving players added rest with the extra byes. A bye before "shorter weeks" also would appeal to players and likely increase the quality of Thursday games. I personally am not big on adding byes into the schedule because it makes an already loooong season really drag at times. But that may be more of a "me" thing than a "real" thing.

RIP Sonny.

I admit a bit of a throat grab at this one. Sonny Jurgenson, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback for the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles, died Friday at the age of 91. I have little-to-memory of Jurgensen because he wasn't playing a lot by the time I started really watching the NFL – around 1972 and 1973. But he was my father's favorite player and the late Richard E. Oehser always wondered if Washington might have won the Super Bowl following the 1972 season had Jurgensen been available. For young people who don't believe players from the past could have played in this era, watch Jurgensen highlights. He would have been better in this era. RIP Sonny? Absolutely. Legend.

Beavis from the Southside

In your response to Alex, formerly of Vilano Beach, you mentioned something called a "comments section." What even is that?

If you know, you know. If you don't know, you don't want to know.

Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK

Oh Mighty 'O' / King of all Funk, so I was right then about Liam and Trevor not winning any awards then. Which is a shame.

You're referencing Thursday's NFL Honors, with the Jaguars indeed not winning any of the awards for which they were finalists. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was a finalist for AP Most Valuable Player and AP Comeback Player of the Year and Head Coach Liam Coen was a finalist for AP Coach of the Year – with punter Logan Cooke was the Jaguars' club winner for Walter Payton Man of the Year. Those awards went as follows: New England Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel Coach of the Year, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford MVP, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey Comeback Player of the Year and Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner Walter Payton Man of the Year. While the Jaguars' representatives would have been worthy winners of any of these awards, it's hard to argue any of the winners were bad choices. It's a big league. There are a lot of worthy candidates. It's a shame the Jaguars didn't win, but it's not really a shame the winners won.

Sam from Mount Dora, FL

It should be noted that Verbal only beat Coen by three votes.

Vrabel – a.k.a., Vrabel – indeed won Coach of the Year by a slim margin over Coen. The Jaguars indeed gained a lot of respect by season's end. Just don't tell them. They sort of like not getting it.

Dwayne from Jacksonville

If there ever is an Ozone function and Gary from St. Augustine, FL attended … I'd like to get his autograph.

Me, too.