JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Kainani Stevens and correspondent John Shipley offer quick thoughts as the Jaguars move on from the preseason and toward the regular season

Oehser…

1. A quick look back… The Jaguars' 2026 preseason ended in convincing, physical fashion Friday – a 19-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – and the thought here is this team had a very productive training camp and preseason. That was particularly true in the last two weeks, when the Jaguars – after what Head Coach Liam Coen on Friday called not a perfect joint practice against the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago – steadily improved through joint practices/preseason games against the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jaguars finished the preseason 2-1, a record that matters not a bit. As Coen noted following Friday's victory, what was important in recent weeks was that the Jaguars increasingly played to their identity as the preseason continued. They got better as they got more physical in recent weeks, particularly in the joint practices against the Panthers and Bucs. They also appeared more confident and in sync during that time, with the feeling as camp and preseason closed that they are as ready as possible for the regular season.
2. …and a quick look forward. The coming 48 hours figure to be difficult and emotional, with the Jaguars – like all NFL teams – trimming the roster to 53 players by Sunday at 6 p.m. Coen noted in his post-game media availability Friday that the move to 53 likely wouldn't be as difficult as the discussions involving the practice squad, and the Jaguars indeed appear to in position to be very deep on that unit. Players such as running back J'Mari Taylor seem like players the team will want to keep and develop, and there is a slew of "bubble" players who seem capable of contributing as practice-squad activation if needed. The performance of defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. throughout the preseason indicates the team will have trouble keeping all the players it likes at that position – and the same is true of linebacker, offensive line and perhaps wide receivers. The Jaguars from this view are a deeper team than they have been in a long time – and that's what will make the practice-squad discussions in the coming days as difficult as they have been in recent memory.

Sexton…

1. They have raised the floor in less than 18 months. When you must find places to put undrafted rookies such as Thomas and wide receivers Michael Wortham and Trebor Peña on your roster, you have done a remarkable job. We're not all that far away from the Jaguars scouring the waiver wire at this time of year looking for anyone who could help on special teams or give them some depth. Now, there are more good players than they have room for and they will wince when a few players they like walk out the door. Such is life in professional football.
2. "Play style" was often heard in the Miller Electric Center last week. Coen uses it as a standard and as a rallying cry. He demands toughness and a consistent level of performance, and those were conspicuous by their absence in New Orleans a few weeks ago. It returned by the force of his will against Carolina and Tampa on the practice fields, and was on full display Friday night in the preseason finale. When the preseason ends with the bottom half of your roster playing to your standard and style, you have to feel good about the culture in the building. Coen is an excellent offensive mind but he's an even better head coach. He has that "something" that draws people to him and makes them want to be their best for him and his program. I'm excited about where this seems to be heading.

Stevens…

1. It's not over until it's over. I went into the Jaguars' final preseason game with low expectations, with Coen playing few starters or second-team players. However, those who played Friday put together a solid performance – and some may have earned a roster spot. The defense dominated early, led by Thomas Jr. out of the University of South Carolina. The edge rusher recorded 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hits in the game. While Thomas Jr. may have been on the bubble heading into the game, he may have earned a spot after his performance against the Buccaneers. The final 53-man roster will be officially announced by 6 p.m. Sunday.
2. Sharing the wealth. Coen got back on the playcalling mic this week after allowing offensive coordinator Grant Udinski to call plays in the first two preseason games. Coen called the first half, then allowed quarterback coach Spencer Whipple to call the third quarter and pass game specialist John Van Dam called offensive plays in the fourth quarter. While Coen doesn't seemingly love to give up the reigns, he cited opportunities given to him by Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay as motivating him to do the same.

Shipley…

1. The plan is working. After watching the Jaguars have several undrafted free agents stand out for a second consecutive preseason, their plan to fortify their depth chart from top to bottom seems to be going swimmingly. Hitting on draft picks is as important as ever, but many teams find an edge by their scouting departments and coaching staffs finding diamonds in the rough. The Jaguars did it last year with defensive ends B.J. Green II and Danny Striggow, while fellow 2025 undrafted free agents linebacker Branson Combs and cornerback Jabbar Muhammad seem to have played themselves into roles. The Jaguars seemingly did it once again this offseason with the undrafted quartet of Wortham, Bryan Thomas Jr., quarterback Joey Aguilar and Taylor frequently making plays throughout the preseason. If the Jaguars keep unearthing talented lesser-known players at this rate, there is no telling the kind of team they can continue to build.
2. The wait is over. It has been a long time since Duval has seen the Jaguars' starters on the field, but that will change in two weeks. Coen focused on developing the youth and depth this preseason, with most of the Jaguars' projected starters not playing a snap in any of the three preseason games. There were some exceptions, such as Ventrell Miller/Combs in the first two weeks, but not many. Thankfully for the Jaguars' faithful that long wait to see quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and so many others back on the field is almost over.