JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Pookie from Panda City
John, the reason fans are saying the season is over is because we see something you don't seem to be acknowledging: The Jags are now officially in a trend of really bad football. It seems you only want to admit that there have been a couple of blips, namely the games against the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans. But every single game since (and including) Seattle has been terrible. Even the win against the Las Vegas Raiders was bad football against a bad team that the Jaguars just barely eked out. You always used to say that we don't really know who a team is until Week 5 or so because of the short preseason. Can you now acknowledge that most observers were tricked after the first few games (yourself included, when you mentioned after the Kansas City victory that we could end up well over 10 wins), but now that the league has figured out the new coaching staff, what we're seeing out there is who the Jags actually are?
The Jaguars entering Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadium haven't played as well in the last four games as they did the first five of the regular season. This is true. It's also true that they played perhaps the NFL's two best teams – the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams – during that stretch. It's just as true that while the Jaguars collapsed in the fourth quarter this past Sunday against the Texans, they were also a play away from winning and therefore being 6-3. Either way, why in the world would I write that I was tricked? Do I think they will win "well" over 10 games? Likely not. Can they win 10 or so and contend for the postseason? Certainly.
Brad from Yankton, SD
If coaching isn't everything in the NFL, how do you explain the New England Patriots?
Coaching matters in the NFL. It always has and always will – though it's absolutely not close to "everything." What particularly matters in NFL coaching is players believing in the direction and tone set by a head coach. What coaching is not – never has been and never will be – is the end-all reason for all that happens in the NFL. It is also often vastly overrated when analyzing play-calling and specific in-game events. It's fans' tendency to blame coaching for everything that happens in a game that prompts me to often write "It's always coaching in the NFL." It is, after all, always coaching in the NFL.
James from Titusville, NJ
I'd like for someone who thinks Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence lacks motivation to spend 24-48 hours vomiting, then the next day go out on a plane trip in another time zone and duke it out with men nearly twice your size … and win! Yeah, Trevor is flawed and not great, but to say he lacks motivation is just ridiculous.
Yep.
Brendan from The Banana Patch
Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen rushing too far up the field and letting quarterback run for a million yards ... all over his tape. The TD to Davis Mills … case in point. The mantra for next year should be no excuses. I hope James Gladstone cooks in the offseason. Jags need it.
Hines-Allen appeared to rush a bit too far up the field against the Texans last Sunday on the play you cite. I don't know next season's Jaguars mantra nor do I know Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone's offseason plays. The Jaguars are 5-4 and contending in the AFC with two months remaining in the 2025 season. Maybe we focus on this season before looking ahead?
Rob from the duuuuuuuuuuuuu
Two first-rounders and Trevor for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Brought to you by the same guy that made that same deal for Matt Stafford. I want a stud quarterback who lifts his team and has the mental ability to manipulate defenders and knows how to get rid of the ball to score on another play. And one who cuts his damn hair, to be honest! Trade Machine! It's not impossible because the Rams did it to tremendous success!! Tell me it's possible...
It's not possible.
Don from Marshall, NC
Jakobi Meyers is just what the doctor ordered! You could throw an egg at him and he would return you a baby chick! PW is on fire! Go Jaguars!
When it comes to being appropriately enthusiastic about Jaguars wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, Dom remains "all in."
Crash from Glen Saint Mary, FL
Obi Wan! OK. Hunter is out. That leaves wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, tight end Brenton Strange and running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten as the weapons that T Law has to use? I like our chances.
OK.
Kei from Kitakyushu, Japan
Is it too early to say that a Kyler Murray-type situation is looming in Duval with Trevor? Like Murray, he's a former first overall pick on a franchise that has been listless for years. Like Murray, he's a holdover from a failed regime that a whole new staff is working to "get right." Like Murray, the early returns on that work have been spotty, inconsistent and possibly seen as short of expectations. How long of a leash would they be willing to give Trevor if the wild swings between his highs and the lows continue unabated exactly a year from now?
Yes, it's too early to say such a situation is looming. I don't know the length of Lawrence's leash. It will be difficult to not have him be the starting quarterback through next season – and possibly through the 2027 season.
Dave from Jacksonville
When is Hines-Allen eligible to return to the field? We could use him on the pass rush!
Dave's got jokes.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. There isn't much that can be said that hasn't already been said. I think we have entered the biggest risk of the season yet. Finger pointing and losing the locker room. The fans are in disbelief, but I don't want to pile on the players as they are human, too, and likely are taking this tougher than we know. I think they just need to find a path to scratching out 10 wins with the remaining games and forget about the Indianapolis Colts and division for now.
There's no reason to "forget" anything or find new "paths." The Jaguars play the Chargers Sunday. The Jaguars must focus on winning that game. Why waste time right now thinking about paths?
Rog from STA
This is not meant to be a flippant question. If they wish, can the Jaguars get out of or change the Trevor Lawrence multi-million-dollar agreement which is to begin next year?
Not really, no.
Donut from Saint Johns
KOAF, this isn't a question based off an uncalled play against the Jaguars, just a general question. Given that the rules are clearly biased towards offense, could there be any changes to help offset these or does the league just prefer points scored? What I was thinking was a higher focus on offensive pass interference for when the receivers push off defenders to create space. Additionally, make those calls similar to intentional grounding, so in addition to 10 yards penalty, it's also loss of down. This would make it somewhat more equivalent to defensive pass interference or illegal contact since those award automatic first downs.
Life is short. I wouldn't fritter away precious time waiting for the NFL to change rules to benefit defenses.
Mike from Orange Park, FL
I understand the point about having to learn a new system with a new coach. But look at New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. It's more about instinct, pocket awareness, and mental processing. Lawrence simply is average in those areas.
OK.
Wes from Ponte Vedra
Hi John, I'm immensely jealous of your optimism when you say the Jags are still "contenders" because we are in the seventh AFC playoff spot right now. I think you and the readers interpret that word very differently. Fans want to "contend" for division titles, first-round playoff byes and Super Bowls. Not a charity wild card slot that didn't even exist a few years ago.
I can't speak to how readers interpret things. I do know that "contending" in sports means contending to get into the postseason, where you can then contend to win championships. That's what contending means. What the Jaguars are doing this season is contending.
Fred from Naples, FL
Wow. We seem to be blaming everything on the Jags' recent woes these past four games. I guess it's only a matter of time before we start blaming our training and nutrition staff for all of our injuries.
Good point.
Jimmy from Memphis
Would you consider this game against the Chargers to be a must-win?
No, though I do think it's important – particularly after how the Texans game ended last Sunday – that the Jaguars play well.
