JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Jeff from Jacksonville

*Sigh." Thus closes the book on what should have been something amazing for the Jaguars. John, do you ever remember a team having an opportunity like the Jags did and then blowing it so badly? They earned the ninth and first overall picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts through their own stellar play and then received the twentieth and twenty-fifth overall picks in those drafts from the cornerback Jalen Ramsey trade. Four first-round picks in two years, including a first overall. By any measure, that should be a bonanza for an NFL franchise, a veritable windfall that sets your team up for sustained success for a decade or more. And how did it go for the Jags? Three of the four (excluding quarterback Trevor Lawrence, of course) didn't make it to their second contract, and one (cornerback C.J. Henderson) was traded away even before his first contract was done. Six years down the road, and all that promise is gone like chaff in the wind. Set aside how much we like running back Travis Etienne Jr. and what a good guy he is – picking him in the first round was a mistake. Only the Jaguars could choke like they did with that whole deal.

The email covers a lot of old ground and a lot indeed went wrong around here for a long time. I suppose we could wallow in the disappointment of this, but the good news is those "mistakes" are in the past and nothing around this franchise right now feels like that admittedly dark era. The Jaguars went 13-4 this past season, they're doing a lot right and Lawrence absolutely has the feel of a long-term franchise quarterback. I disagree somewhat on Etienne being a mistake. He was the No. 25 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and made a lot of big plays for this team. The Jaguars have had some awful first-round selections in their history. I can't really put Etienne in that group. Either way, a lot of franchise have had rough stretches in which not a lot goes right. All you can do is try get out of the abyss and onto solid ground. The Jaguars appear to have done that.

Dave from Los Angeles, CA

Last we saw of Bhayshul Tuten, he was only averaging 12 yards a carry against the Bills. Not sure he has the juice.

Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten rushed very effectively at times as a rookie in 2025 and he had really effective moments in the Jaguars' AFC Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills. I don't know that we need to overthink who's going to be RB1 for the Jaguars next season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024 – when current Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen was the offensive coordinator there – finished fourth in the NFL in rushing as a team with running back Bucky Irving rushing for 1,122 yards, running back Rachaad White rushing for 613 yards, quarterback Baker Mayfield rushing for 378 yards and running back Sean Tucker rushing for 308 yards. Could the Jaguars get to a place where Tuten rushes for 1,000ish yards, Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 700ish yards, Lawrence rushes for 350ish yards and a player such as LeQuint Allen Jr. rushes for a few hundred? Sure, and that would be pretty close to ideal for this offense.

Fred from Naples, FL

There is no doubt in my mind that the Jaguars brass saw the last game Tuten played against the Bills and that was enough to know that ETN was expendable. I am not sure we would have won the Bills playoff game had we gave the ball to Tuten more, but it was certainly enough to know that he is the short-term answer at running back. I am not sure there will ever be a "long-term" answer because of the nature of the running back position.

The Jaguars have a few answers at running back. Most teams need a few answers at the position in this era. I expect Tuten to be among the answers.

Matthew from Townsville, Tropical Australia

Hi, O. Could you please tell Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile not to worry about losing linebacker Devin Lloyd? The replacement is already on the roster! Yasir Abdullah is ready and waiting for the call. He just has been biding his time on special teams waiting for this moment. I hope he is at least allowed to compete for the spot in preseason.

Abdullah, a fifth-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2023 NFL Draft, indeed is on the roster. He has played consistently as a special teams player in three NFL seasons. The Jaguars showed last season they have no problem allowing "special teams players" and "reserves" to emerge as starters/key contributors. Look no further than wide receiver Parker Washington, who was the No. 4 receiver in training camp before being one of the team's top receivers throughout the season. Will the Jaguars "at least allow" Abdullah to compete? Why wouldn't they?

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

Hello, Johnny O. You have often commented on the business realities of the NFL for teams and players. Fine and understood. But what about the fans? Should we also adopt this bottom-line oriented view? If so, then I offer a "see ya" to former Nos. 0 and 1. As a wise guy once said, "That's that, they're gone. And there's not a thing anybody can do about it." We root for the Jax Jags, if you take a big payday to wear another jersey, you should not expect to be perpetually loved in Duval. P.S.: This guidance does not apply to Dewey, because it was always the Jags.

Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know I rarely counsel fans on how to feel about the NFL. I will say that it's a little unrealistic for anyone – including fans – to think players shouldn't take big paydays during free agency, even if it means leaving the fans' favorite team. I can see being sad to see favorites leave, but being mad at a player for maximizing his value seems a bit short-sighted. What would you do given that opportunity? What would anyone reasonable do?

James from Titusville, NJ

I'm as sad as anyone to see cherished players go to other teams. I'm also thrilled with the Jaguars because of the talent already established on the roster. I would much prefer seeing our up-and-coming draft selections add to a wealth of talent already held than to piece in an aging veteran. For the free-agent junkies (and I mean that impolitely), the 2027 league year should allow for much more cap space somewhere between $40-$60 million with no core players entering a contract year. Granted, future cap space can change quickly and not all aging veterans suck, but historically, the odds are against the team signing the player. Oh how short a fan's memory can be... Wait, I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

Can you repeat the question?

Mark from Orange Park, FL

So, help me understand. We aren't signing anyone this offseason so we can get unknown compensatory picks in the 2027 draft, a season the Jaguars won't be playing in Jacksonville. Won't it be great to watch them win elsewhere?

That's not what it is, and if you think that's what it is, you're thinking far enough from reality that there's probably not much I can do to help.

Scooby from Crestview, FL

I've enjoyed following the Jaguar fans conversation about free agency. The current leadership has made good but tough decisions. Most of the Super Bowl champions in the last decade featured top five offensive lines. The Jags reached sixth last year in run/pass efficiency. Seems like we are getting close to Super Bowl caliber. What improvements would you expect for 2026?

I expect the Jaguars will select at least one offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft and I expect the most obvious improvement in this area to come from players already on the roster.

Bryan from Tampa, FL

Fans heard all last season about how explosive projected RB1, Tuten, is. We never actually saw him break away in a game from what I can remember. I think Rodriguez was brought in for a "between the tackles" presence. What are the chances we draft a "complete" back in the early rounds of the draft? Do you think that is necessary?

I expect the Jaguars to select a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. I would be a little surprised at this point if it happens on Days 1 or 2 – i.e., the first three rounds.

Bradley from Death Valley, CA

If you owned a franchise would you rather have Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone and Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay or Rams General Manager Les Snead and Coen as your general manager/head coach combo??

Can't we just be glad the Jaguars have Gladstone and Coen?