JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Bob from Swatches, SC

I'm optimistic about the season because Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, Head Coach Liam Coen and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli believe quarterback Trevor Lawrence hasn't played his best ball yet. Combined, they have proven track records in talent acquisition and on-field success. I think Trevor will have a much-improved touchdown/interception ratio this season just as Baker Mayfield did when Coen coached him with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.

This is a legitimate reason for optimism as the Jaguars' regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium approaches next Sunday. There indeed is confidence around the Miller Electric Center that Lawrence should have his best days ahead of him. His knowledge of Coen's offense in their first season together appears to be steadily improving, as does Lawrence's confidence. He from this view has had more good, encouraging practice days than hiccups – and he absolutely has improved since the beginning of the offseason program. I expect Lawrence to have some struggles as he continues developing in this system, but I also expect he will be more consistent than he was last season and that he can steadily direct this offense as he develops. I also expect the Jaguars' running game to improve and for the coaches to emphasize that area to the point that Lawrence doesn't have to carry the team or make superhuman plays to win. This storyline will ratchet up in the next few weeks and into the early part of the regular season. Buckle up. We're close to the good stuff now.

Doc from Jacksonville

John, early observation. I like the mix of vets and rookies that make up the 53-player roster. I see the Jags looking to put a quality product on the field and building for the future. GO JAGS!

The Jaguars' 2025 roster indeed is an intriguing mix of youth and experience, with nearly every position having a legitimate leader/veteran. Some of that was by design beginning with unrestricted free agency in March. Some of that was because the Jaguars needed to improve some spots once they got a feel for this roster in training camp. Either way, it does feel like a good mix. I expect the Jaguars may not have quite so many veterans of advanced experience in future seasons – and that those veterans won't come through free agency quite so much as was the case this season. You ideally want your leaders to be home grown. But it takes time for a new regime to draft their own players and grow them. You work toward that sort of roster maturity.

Darrell from Fernandina Beach, FL

It's too bad we couldn't trade Thomas for Patrick straight up with Detroit prior to cutdowns. Do you think there were talks along those lines?

The Jaguars traded a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft for wide receiver Tim Patrick on Wednesday, the same day former Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas – released by the team Tuesday after five seasons – signed with the Lions. It's quite possible the teams talked about this in the days leading to cutdown day. Remember: Every team pretty much talks to every team about many, many trades involving players and late-round draft selections late in the preseason. Pretty much every team has many players who would be playing elsewhere if a team had offered a bit more value. There are myriad conversations and near-trades each preseason that barely get thought of again, much less reported. It's a business, particularly in the final two or three days before the cutdown to the initial regular-season 53-player roster.

Jim from Boone, NC

I guess they got their "big" receiver.

Yes, they did. Patrick is an experienced veteran who gives the Jaguars size at the position they coveted. He has 176 career receptions for 2,403 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight NFL seasons, including 33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns with the Lions last season. He's not an afterthought. When needed, he can be part of the offense. He also is a solid run-blocker.

Rob from the duuuuuuuuuuu

I'm surprised they released Jordan Jefferson for an aging vet that was signed during camp. One would think that developing the young player would be prioritized and I feel he would be poached off of the practice squad. Were you surprised at Khalen Saunders and Austin Johnson both making it ahead of Jefferson? Do you think there is a chance we can stash him?

I wasn't particularly surprised Johnson and Saunders made the roster. Remember: The Jaguars knew who was on their roster when they acquired those players during training camp and those players were acquired for a reason. That reason wasn't to be released. Jefferson was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers Wednesday.

Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL

At the risk of being the guy who noticed that the emperor had no clothes, may I suggest that Brian Thomas has a drop problem? Seven last year, thirteen in college. Before nominating him for the Hall of Fame we should begin to worry about his hands.

Jaguars second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had enough drops in 2025 Training Camp that it's fair to watch how this issue plays out this season. I don't pay too much attention to drops as a statistic because they can be a veeeery subjective statistic. Thomas didn't seem from this view to have a glaring "drops" issue as a rookie last season, which leads me to believe he will be OK in this area once the games matter.

David from Jacksonville

What happened to Cooper Hodges? Is he still on the team? I didn't see him on any of the roster move lists.

Hodges, an offensive lineman and a seventh-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2023 NFL, is on the reserve physically unable to perform list. The Jaguars like Hodges a lot and hope he can some day be part of the offensive line.

Robert from Elkton

The one thing that stood out to me about the initial 53 is this team as the most quality/potential quality pass rushers I can ever remember on any Jags team. Linebackers who can blitz, interior linemen who can push, and proven ends and promising rookies. Can't wait to see how they scheme this bunch.

I think Jaguars defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker can be double-digit sack players this season – and I think Dennis Gardeck, Dawuane Smoot and Emmanuel Ogbah can be very good depth behind those guys. I'm also intrigued to see how collegiate free-agent rookies B.J. Green II and Danny Striggow develop, though I am always skeptical about the immediate impact of rookie pass rushers. We'll see what level of push the interior line can get. It's difficult to gauge that during preseason, and the Jaguars need it to be better than last season.

Wayne from Jax

Do you see the Jags attempting to go after Justin Simmons or another veteran safety in light of Ransaw? Thanks, John!

The Jaguars on Tuesday placed rookie safety Caleb Ransaw on season-ending injured reserve with a foot injury, a disappointing development because they believed he had a chance to start at some point this season. Pursuing a veteran safety makes sense, but remember: Jaguars starting safeties Andrew Wingard and Eric Murray have played a combined 15 NFL seasons. Experience, communication and wisdom are not in short supply for the Jaguars at the position.

Devin from Richmond Hill, GA

It sounds like Boselli's EVP role doesn't have much talent responsibilities, did he get any input on cutdown day? Or as being in charge of player engagement, did he just have to make someone else break the news for the unlucky ones as he was "busy?"

Boselli does not have "final say" in football decisions. But he is in the meetings. He is in the discussions. Just as Coen and Gladstone are in the final discussions. They work together. They are a team. As they should be.

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

Patrick and Washington seem very different. Who ends the season being the more valuable player?

Patrick and Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington indeed are different players, with Washington a versatile fourth receiver/returner while Patrick is more of a big physical receiver who is very valuable near the goal line. I suspect Washington will have a lot more receptions for more yards and touchdowns while Patrick will matter in less obvious ways. I don't know that that makes Washington more "valuable," though I expect observers will observe him more.

Brendan from The Banana Patch

Does Ray Lane have a shot at the other safety spot opposite Eric Murray or is he just a special teams guy right now?

Wingard has been the starting safety opposite Murray throughout the offseason and training camp. I don't sense a change there is imminent.

Micah from Chicago

Only two more underwear changes till the Jags kickoff week 1!!! Are you excited?

Sure.