JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. When you compare the first five years in the league for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence versus Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, the statistics are pretty close. Manning had quite a few more touchdowns and interceptions, with Lawrence having more rushing yards and better passing efficiency. You were in Indy for some of Manning's formative years, do you see Trevor on a similar path regarding progress and improving performance?
I began covering Manning in 2001 – and with his first Most Valuable Player season coming in 2023, it's probably accurate that I saw some "formative happening" in '01 and -02. I don't compare Lawrence and Manning much. Some of that is because it feels unfair to compare a relatively young quarterback with a player who belongs in the discussion of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, but it's mostly because they're different style quarterbacks who played in different eras. They also entered the NFL in dramatically different situations, with Manning very prepared for the NFL game/experience and Lawrence having to learn a lot of the fundamentals of studying, preparing and even some NFL fundamentals such as dropping in the pocket in his first few seasons. What's significant about Lawrence in that vein is that he took dramatic steps forward in terms of NFL quarterbacking in his first season in Head Coach Liam Coen's scheme last season. His awareness, poise, command of the offense, knowledge and all of that "quarterbacking stuff" grew more impressive seemingly by the week. Those watching last season saw a player playing with greater comfort and confidence by the week. I don't know that that's a similar path to Manning, but I don't know that it matters if it it's a similar path. What matters is that it's a very positive path, one that appears to be leading to Lawrence being one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. I absolutely believe Lawrence finished last season in that discussion, and I will be surprised if he doesn't remain there –and solidify himself there – in the next several seasons.
Mike from Daytona Beach, FL
John Shipley recently wrote that during the last eight games in 2025, Jaguars ballcarriers averaged only .6 yards per carry before contact and had an anemic 33.7 percent "success" rate on designed runs. He further reported that these two stats were the second and sixth worst, respectively, in the NFL during that eight-game span. Is it any wonder that the Jaguars used their first and third 2026 draft selections to select mauling blockers tight end Nate Boerkircher and guard Emmanuel Pregnon? As for me, this summer I will be watching closely and hoping for signs of significant progress in the run-blocking prowess of the entire offensive unit.
You may or may not see signs of significant progress in the run-blocking prowess of the Jaguars' offensive unit during training camp or preseason. That's because training camp practices, even joint practices and full contact, are a relatively controlled environment and it's tricky to analyze run-blocking when those blocking for – or stopping – the run are playing at anything less than 100 percent. But the Jaguars without question want to run better and more consistently. I expect they will continue focusing there until they do so.
Rob from The duuuuuuuuuuu
RESPECT!!!!
IT'S EVERYTHING!!!
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to don No. 88?
Possibilities here include wide receiver Allen Hurns (2014-2017), tight end Damon Jones (1997-2001), tight end Zach Potter (2009-2012), tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (2018) and tight end/long snapper Joe Zelenka (2002-2008). Hurns is the pretty easy selection here.
Mark from Davenport
How does camp run? Do the players stay together until camp breaks? How often are they allowed to sleep in their own bed?
There are no hard, fast rules in this and sometimes vary from team to team. Jaguars players typically stay at the team hotel most nights until camp breaks.
Jeff from Middleburg, FL
Can we get a campaign going to get defensive tackle Vita Vea from Tampa Bay?
TRADE MACHINE!!!!
JAY from THE BURG FL.
No. 87. Thunder. First Pro-Bowler – and probably Coach Coughlin's biggest mistake. He let Keenan walk and drafted R. Jay Soward. The chemistry he gained by cutting Rison he lost by losing Keenan. Oh, well. Time marches on.
This isn't quite right – at least not down the detail. Former Jaguars Head Coach Tom Coughlin certainly erred selecting wide receiver R. Jay Soward in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft, but the Jaguars didn't release wide receiver Keenan McCardell until after the 2001 season. And that was five seasons after releasing wide receiver Rison. Oh well.
Richard from Jacksonville
Did I ever tell you how stupid I am?
No need.
Chris from Mandarin
DaVon Hamilton has been a good-to-very-good nose tackle now for a long time. I wonder how much better he would be if he didn't have to fight off the back injury from a couple of years ago. That being said, it is more prudent to at least think of other positions on the defensive line by their effectiveness in terms of sacks. I will concede that this isn't the end all be all, but I do know Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker need to be better at getting to the quarterback than last season, particularly when in long down and distance and resisting a comeback by an elite quarterback on the opposing team (à la Josh Allen when the Bills took the lead from the Jaguars earlier in the Wild Card game).
Hamilton indeed has been good-to-very good for a while – and while his back issue certainly was a factor during 2023 and perhaps 2024, I don't know that it affected him much if at all last season. The Jaguars as a team absolutely must rush the passer better than last season as a team. But while Hines-Allen's sacks numbers weren't among the NFL's best last season, he played at a very high level. He pressured consistently – and with rare exceptions, he affected quarterbacks at a high level. You can't always control your sacks numbers, particularly if those around you aren't pressuring consistently. Walker played through significant enough injuries last season that matching his double-digit sacks from 2023 and 2024 would have been miraculous. Either way, the Jaguars need their sacks numbers overall to improve this season. Particularly against elite quarterbacks at the end of games.
Chris from Fleming Island
O-MAN: a follow up question about the backup quarterback. Is it better to have a quarterbac who knows where to go with the ball, but can't get it there, or one who might not know where to go with the ball, but can throw it a mile?
Neither is ideal, though most NFL teams lean heavily toward knowledge and awareness at the backup position with the idea being you can "tread water" for a few plays, series or games with a smart quarterback easier than you can with a talented quarterback who's throwing the ball with velocity to the wrong places. But there is a point that a quarterback who "can't make the throws" is enough of a detriment that his knowledge of the offense isn't enough. This is a relatively common NFL dilemma.
James from Titusville, NJ
Regarding matters of intelligence, I often harken back to one of Einstein's many brilliant quotes, "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Fair.
Steve from Wallingford, CT
I know that college and the NFL put a premium on height/weight for positions, but c'mon. How many times have you watched a game and said, "If only they were one inch taller, the game would have turned out differently?"
There are certainly heights and weights below which it's very difficult to play certain positions in the NFL. No matter how savvy, smart, scrappy or talented an offensive tackle might be, it's very hard for that offensive tackle to be good if he weighs 230 pounds. Or if he's 5-feet-6. And no matter how savvy, smart, scrappy or talented a cornerback might be, it's very hard for that cornerback to be good if he's 5-feet-1. Or if he runs a 4.8-second 40-yard dash. But your point – that being good at football is more important than looking the part – is absolutely true, and it's a point this Jaguars regime believes very strongly.
John from Section 206 while it's still there
If AI can be trusted, it appears the Jaguars have been to three conference championship games since 1996 while the entire state of Texas has been to exactly 0.
AI can be trusted – in this case, at least.
Bruce from St. Simons Island, GA
O, I am glad that training camp is now here! I am still recovering from the shock that league officials no longer consult you on rule changes. In your opinion when do us fans get an idea on how the Jags will do this season?
This season.
