JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Great to have Udinski as our offensive coordinator. He was a sought-after candidate during the 2026 hiring cycle, interviewing for the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills head coaching vacancies before ultimately staying in Jacksonville. Was that his decision or did the Browns and Bills decide? If the offensive scheme is 100 percent Coen, Coen calls the plays, and considering Udinski's relatively young age, what makes him such a hot prospect with other teams?
Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski interviewed for both the Browns and Bills head coaching positions this offseason, reportedly withdrawing his name from consideration for the Browns position while the Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to that position. While the Jaguars' offensive scheme indeed is Head Coach Liam Coen's, and while Coen calls the plays, Coen places high trust in Udinski and certainly is influenced by Udinksi. What makes the 30-year-old Udinski such a hot prospect? The NFL is a small world. Word gets around fast. And the word on Udinski around the NFL is he's one of the league's brightest young minds – and that he had major influence on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's improvement last season. Those sorts of "words" make you a hot head coaching prospect.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
Do you think there is the talent and continuity in place for this defense to be as good overall as the 2017 squad? I don't know if we can replicate the Sacksonville number; not saying we can't by any means, that was just a historic number. However, overall, I feel like they genuinely can be considered the best defense in the NFL come February.
It will be difficult for the 2026 defense to be better than the 2017 version, which may have been the best in franchise history. That's not saying it can't be really good – even dominant – as much as it's saying that being the best defense in franchise history is a high bar. Remember: The 1999 defense ranked fourth yards in the NFL allowed and allowed a league-low 13.6 points per game. Remember, too: The 2017 "Sacksonville" defense not only had a dominant pass rush, it was remarkable enough in its ability to turn pressure into points that it felt as if it carried the team. And both of those defenses helped the Jaguars to the AFC title game. The reality is the '26 defense may not need to be the best in franchise history. Being very, very good may be good enough to complement a very, very good offense. That combination could get the Jaguars where they want to go.
Sal from Austin, TX
The Jaguars are atop their conference, and by all accounts have restored the culture. But what's all this about Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli perhaps not bringing back The Prowlers when they open the new stadium?
Stay tuned.
Robert from Elkton
John, if the league decides to make long field goals worth more than shorter ones, I would understand it. Kicking today is vastly superior to years past and maybe it needs rebalancing. But I would lean toward trying to encourage teams to get touchdowns instead. So how about field goals inside 55 yards should be worth only two points, and anything outside that worth three? I think most fans want to watch touchdowns - not games about kicking.
There's merit to this point, but we may have to view it from a slightly different angle. Yes, field goals get significantly more automatic each season. And yes, they are worlds more automatic than when rules-makers initially made them worth three points. That makes it at least make sense to reduce the value of a field goal. But if the idea is to encourage teams to pursue touchdowns rather than field goals, I'm not sure more encouragement is needed. Coaches in recent seasons already have leaned heavily into analytics that encourage going for first downs – and by extension, touchdowns – in what once would be considered reckless fashion. Many Jaguars fans who first recoiled at former Head Coach Doug Pederson's "aggressive approach" and who now do the same with Coen's similarly aggressive approach, might wonder just how much more encouragement is needed. This is not to say adjusting points awarded for field goals never will happen. I just don't know that this specific adjustment will be the direction. That doesn't mean I'm right. I'm wrong a lot.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
The question about 1,000-yard receivers made me stop and think about something, which I have frequently done in previous weeks/months. I hope our base is soaking this in. We have had a ridiculously and sometimes even ludicrously bad stretch of play for the better part of two decades. Times we had to pray we won a single game. The literal bottom of the NFL. Last year is not a fluke, as you have well stated. We're living in times of knowing an ultra-competitive roster is preparing for a hopefully deep playoff run and this, Johnny O, is the good stuff.
All signs point to the Jaguars being very competitive for a decent stretch and regularly contending for the postseason. Signs pointing somewhere guarantees nothing in the NFL. This is not scripted television. But there should be good times – and good stuff – ahead. Stay tuned.
Don from Marshall, NC
Brian Thomas Jr. certainly is one of those rare athletes with size and speed. I thought he played injured for most of the season. Healthier towards the end. He didn't have a good statistical season but he made some big plays in some big wins. Just like any player he has to continue to improve with strength and reps. I really like the group of receivers we have to include tight ends. Looking at the offensive lineup this team is going to score a bunch of points. We all like points! Go Jaguars!
When it comes to believing in Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. – and the Jaguars' offense – for a lot of the right reasons, Don remains "all in."
Derek from Brookings, SD
No question. Just wanted to say it looks like BTJ is on a mission out there so far.
Yep.
Kenneth from Jacksonville
Who's the best player in Jaguars history to wear No. 41?
Possibilities here include cornerback Dave Thomas (1995-1999), cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas (2000-2002), defensive back Nick Sorenson (2003-2006), cornerback Nick Marshall (2015), cornerback Tre Herndon (2018) and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (2019-present). Hines-Allen, without question.
James from Jacksonville
John, thanks for the summer lists. These make for nostalgic entertainment. Without question Josh Hine-Allen is the choice for No. 41. However, I have to give a nod of gratitude to Dave Thomas, the OG to wear No. 41. I really appreciated his play in those early years. I will never forget the day of his gruesome leg injury. Time stood still that day in the stadium. He was the reason I became a Jaguars fan. One for Dave.
Thomas, who originally joined the Jaguars in the 1995 expansion draft, sustained a fractured femur while covering an onside kick against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1996. It was as violent and as sickening an injury as I've witnessed covering the NFL. Credit to Thomas for playing five more seasons – three with the Jaguars and two with the New York Giants. One fer Thomas? No doubt.
Mac from Avondale
Big ups to Tommy Bohannon! Not just the greatest Jag to wear No. 40, but the greatest Jaguar ever (besides Greg Jones)
Good eye.
JAY from THE BURG FL.
A great football mind once said, to set the tone in a football game you have to attack early. So, in the first series if on defense the opposing quarterback has to get hit so that he picks himself up off the ground. And on offense, your quarterback has to throw deep. That has to get done by whatever means necessary regardless of what happens. When teams think you're a little bit crazy that in itself is unpredictable. He also said, "Just win, baby." John Madden said teams think we play dirty football. "Well, what are you gonna do about it?" The NFL is a dirty, gritty, in-your-face game won by men. Always has been. Coach Coen is on the attack and the Jaguars are coming. And they're not afraid to get dirty. Anytime. Anyplace.
I don't know that everything the late, great Al Davis and the late, great John Madden said must be adhered to every game without fail. But yes … Coen and the Jaguars are going to attack and they're going to be aggressive. That has been pretty firmly established.
Brittany from Duuuuval nation
Hi. This is Brittany. Any tips for me as this is my first fantasy camp? I will be playing football. I am a girl. I don't know anything about football. Any tips you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Hit the opposing quarterback on the first series. And throw deep.
