JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars wrapped up their season last week with a 27-24 loss to the Bills in the AFC wild-card playoffs. Jacksonville had a spectacular season under first-year head coach Liam Coen, winning 13 games and securing the AFC South title. News4JAX answers some questions about the Jaguars and how they can take the next step in 2026.
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Q: No one can objectively look at this season and consider it disappointing. But what could Jacksonville have done better in the first season under a new regime?
Jamal St. Cyr: That’s a tough question. Honestly, I think their in-season decision-making was really good. We can debate going for it on fourth down or the injury-riddled rookie class, but if I were going to point to one thing, it would be defensive tackle. The interior of the defensive line was a need last offseason that they chose not to address, and it is still a need this offseason. I understand you can’t fix all the problems in one go around, and this really made me dig deep to find something I feel like they could have improved on.
Justin Barney: Drafted better. Yes, I know it’s far too early to write off an entire rookie class after one season, but the class from top to bottom was lackluster. Travis Hunter had a couple really nice catches and had flashes at cornerback before getting hurt. But injuries were the story of this class. They were devastating. ESPN ranked Jacksonville’s draft class 31 out of 32. Had the Jaguars gotten more production from some of those players or drafted others who contributed more, it’s not a stretch to think it could have resulted in an extra win (and higher playoff seed).
Q: What is the biggest offseason need for Jacksonville to make that will help it take the next step forward?
JSC: Mentioned in my last answer. Defensive tackle is by far the Jags’ biggest need this offseason. Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton did a solid job this season, but they need some juice there. The Jags struggled in the sack department for the last two seasons. A big part of that is that there hasn’t been enough of a push up the middle. Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen have created pressure off the edges, but when there is space for the QB to step up, it has been tough for them to finish the job. The stat line looks good from Arik this season, sack-wise, but those weren’t quick-win sacks by any means, and he wasn’t creating havoc on a consistent enough basis. Plus, Maason Smith’s continued struggles to get on the field create a void for a young developmental guy for the future. Defensive tackle has got to be addressed early in the draft, no questions about it.
JB: Totally agree. We knew entering last offseason that the defensive line and pass rush were lacking. The expected development of Maason Smith never happened. Dawuane Smoot didn’t provide much. Arik Armstead was better than he was last year, but he faded down the stretch. The Jaguars absolutely must address that position group in the draft or free agency.
Q: What were the bests and worsts of the season for you?
JSC: The best was that Monday night game against the Chiefs. That environment was wild, and the Jags pulling off the win was huge. The worst was the injuries to the rookie class. Going into next year, there are still questions about almost every draft pick.
JB: Getting rid of Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke was the best moment of the year because it set everything else up. I don’t know if there was a more energetic game than the win over the Chiefs on Monday night. In hindsight, the Chiefs weren’t that good, but that win was something else. Worst of the season was the collapse against Houston. Had the Jaguars held on in that game, there’s a very real possibility that they’d have wrapped up the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye. Agree with Jamal about the draft class. I still think the Jaguars gave up way too much to move up and get Travis Hunter, and the rash of injuries to just about every other pick leaves a lot to be desired from this class. The other worst for me was Brian Thomas Jr. After an unbelievable rookie year, he may have been the most disappointing player in the NFL.
Q: What is one swing-for-the-fence move for Coen and James Gladstone to make this offseason?
JSC: Trade for Dexter Lawrence. Sexy Dexy would fill the Jags’ biggest need at DT. But it would be a huge swing. Not only would you have to give the Giants a substantial haul for him, but Lawrence is also going into the final year of his contract and would be looking for a big payday as he turns 30. You asked for a swing that is a swing. That is the type of move that, if you think the Super Bowl window is cracked open, you just threw a rock through it to make sure the window is open.
JB: This would never happen since it’s an in-division swap, but how about making a deal for Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons. I know, wild scenario, but hear me out. The Jaguars could send a high draft pick (maybe this year’s second-rounder or the 2027 first-rounder, or maybe both) to the Titans along with a player like Travon Walker or Brian Thomas Jr. That gives the Titans a motivated receiver who is cost-controlled for another two seasons to build a rapport with Cam Ward. If Walker is the one going out, he’d get a new deal with the Titans and have a chance to become the defensive face of the franchise in Nashville. Adding Simmons to the line in Jacksonville would give Josh Hines-Allen the best defensive tackle he’s played with in his career, and fortify the team’s weakest unit.
Q: Give me one unsigned player who will be back and one who won’t return.
JSC: Let me start with, I think Devin Lloyd and Travis Etienne are both playing for different teams next year. Just go ahead and rip that band-aid off. Look, the Jags don’t have much salary cap space to work with, plain and simple. So there will be some tough decisions. I’ll give you two guys I expect back. Quintin Morris and Dennis Gardeck. Not an exciting list by any means, but Morris is a quality reserve behind Brenton Strange, and Gardeck is a do-it-all player on the defense. The defense will already look very different since they could lose four starters in free agency. Keeping Gardeck is a good move for some consistency.
JB: I think Travis Etienne returns to the Jaguars. I don’t see the coaching staff having enough faith in Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen to hand the keys to the ground game over to them. Etienne really played well this year, and I think he’ll be far more affordable than people think. I think Andrew Wingard returns as a depth piece. I don’t see a scenario where Devin Lloyd is back. He’s priced himself out of Jacksonville. And I think Greg Newsome walks, too. He struggled this year after coming over in the trade of Tyson Campbell.