JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Kainani Stevens and correspondent John Shipley offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday.

Oehser …

1. All in? The Jaguars moved boldly this week, making three high-profile trades – for defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Davon Godchaux and safety Jessie Bates III – that made them the NFL's biggest story early this week. But while these moves have been categorized by many that the Jaguars are all in for a Super Bowl this season, the thought here is that's seeing it just a bit wrong. First, the Jaguars have been all in for a Super Bowl since the decision-making trio of Head Coach Liam Coen, General Manager James Gladstrone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli took over early in the 2025 offseason. Second, these moves aren't simply about making – and winning – the Super Bowl this season. Davis, remember, is under contract for two seasons after 2027. And while Bates is a free agent following this season, the Jaguars seem him as a player they could re-sign following the season. Yes, the moves were bold. But they're also part of a future in which the Jaguars want to be all in for numerous seasons, not just one.
2. Yet another statement. The Jaguars' boldness this week understandably have been characterized as a "statement" for this organization. And there is a statement element, as defensive end Josh Hines-Allen noted Wednesday when he said, "the people that make the big decisions, it's a message from them saying, 'We're going to get these guys and we're going to take this opportunity and we're going to freaking go win out.''' Remember, though: This is the same decision-making regime that traded significant draft capital to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Coen/Gladstone/Boselli triumvirate also traded for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers shortly before the 2025 trade deadline, then re-signed him while boldly re-shaping the wide receiver corps in real time last season. They also routinely went against "consensus" last offseason, not only in free-agency decisions but throughout the '26 draft. This organization has been making statements for the better part of two calendar years. Maybe Monday's were the loudest. Maybe not. But they were anything but out of character.

Sexton…

1. It's only an opinion. I came across a story this week about the Jaguars' three Monday trades by a national reporter with a good grasp of the NFL and all 32 teams. He didn't like the moves, saying that the price was too rich for his taste. Bingo! Some will really like the moves, and some will see them as too extravagant. All that matters is whether it makes the Jaguars better and gives them the players needed to make a run at the Super Bowl in February. If the Jaguars host the AFC Championship Game, these were smart moves. If they make the Super Bowl, these were great moves. If they win the Super Bowl, everyone's opinion will be the same and the Jaguars will be held up as the example of how to convert good to great.
2. I really liked the Davis move. First and foremost, he's a huge man in the middle of the defense and can give the defense a threat lined up so close to the quarterback. He may only have a seven percent pressure rate, but teams are not running the ball up the middle against him, and the quarterback will have to deal with his size and length while he pushes the pocket and clogs passing lanes. He also has multiple years remaining on a pretty fair contract, which helps defray the cost associated with the trade. He also fits the Jaguars' team-building criteria as a good player and a good dude in the locker room. I interviewed Davis at the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas. His then-Georgia teammate, Travon Walker, was the Jaguars' likely pick. I sought Davis' opinion. He was phenomenal, even calling linebacker Nakobe Dean over for his thoughts, conducting the interview himself and politely handing me the microphone when he finished. I told my photographer whoever got Davis was getting a winning combination of a great player and person. Now he's in Jacksonville so I'm thrilled for the Jaguars.

Stevens …

1. Reunited and it feels so good. Davis is a physically huge addition, but the intangibles tip the scale even more in the Jags' favor. He is again sharing a locker room with his good friend and former college teammate Walker, a pair that won plenty of games together as a part of Kirby Smart's dominant University of Georgia defenses. Now they will play side-by-side in the NFL. Walker said Wednesday that he was jealous that so many of his college teammates were able to play together for the Philadelphia Eagles – Davis' former team – and he now is excited to have his Davis on the same team. Davis did not practice Wednesday as he gets acclimated to his new workplace, but I have no doubt the Walker and Davis combination will pick up right where they left off in Athens.
2. No time to look ahead. The Jaguars lead the AFC South at 6-2 with two of their next three games against the 1-7 Titans. But Hines-Allen is not reveling in the team's success and reminded media members in the locker room Wednesday he was on an 8-3 team in 2023 that did not make the postseason. While every team attempts to focus on one game at a time, you get the feeling around the Jaguars' facility this team truly focuses on the singular day ahead. Also: a friendly reminder from the coaching staff and veteran Jaguars about the historically bitter rivalry with the Titans probably helps keep that focus this week for sure.

Shipley…

1. Stopping Pollard. For years, the Jaguars' games against the Titans have been about stopping the run. First Eddie George, then Chris Johnson, then the Derrick Henry years. It is no surprise that perhaps the top weapon the Jaguars' defense must stop in Week 10 is Titans running back Tony Pollard, who has rushed for 246 yards and five touchdowns over the last two games. Pollard makes the Titans' offense go, and the Titans will be hard-pressed to score and hunt explosive plays in the passing game without Pollard taking pressure off quarterback Cam Ward. It remains to be seen if the Jaguars will have their two new defensive tackles active on Sunday to plug against the run and contribute to the Jaguars' top-ranked run defense. If they don't, it will be up to the rest of the Jaguars' defense to make sure Pollard gets no momentum on Sunday. If they can contain him, they can get after Ward early and often on passing downs.
2. The Travis Hunter Show. Games such as Sunday's are a big reason the Jaguars drafted Hunter. Yes, the Titans have had a struggling season. But they have a talented Top Five pick in rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate, who can take over games at any moment. Hunter has developed into a shut-down cornerback over the first half of the season, and the Jaguars again need him to be at his best Sunday against another potential blue-chip player in Tate. Offensively, Hunter's ability to create yards after the catch could be important against a Titans team that has struggled at times with making tackles in space this season. This is Hunter's first time playing against the Titans, and he could quickly show why he is set to be a difference-maker in the AFC South for years with another big two-way performance.