The Jacksonville Jaguars begin a new chapter in the 2025 season with Liam Coen stepping in as head coach. One of the main priorities for Coen is to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence fulfill the potential that was expected when he was drafted first overall in 2021. Lawrence has missed significant time over the past two seasons due to injuries, including a shoulder injury and a concussion that sidelined him for seven games last year. He is now operating within his third offensive system in five seasons.
General manager James Gladstone, top executive Tony Boselli, and Coen have focused on improving protection for Lawrence, strengthening the team’s running game, and adding more talent at wide receiver. They made several roster changes aimed at these goals. Changes include tweaks to Lawrence’s mechanics and the introduction of a quick-throw scheme on offense.
However, much will depend on Lawrence’s ability to stay healthy and find consistency if Jacksonville hopes to improve from four wins last season to become contenders in the AFC South. The Jaguars have assembled an inexperienced leadership group with Coen as head coach, Gladstone as general manager, and new offensive and defensive coordinators all taking their roles for the first time.
New additions to the roster include WR/CB Travis Hunter, WR Dyami Brown, C Robert Hainsey, G Patrick Mekari, QB Nick Mullens, DE Dawuane Smoot, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, LB Jack Kiser, CB Jourdan Lewis, and S Eric Murray. Key departures feature WR Christian Kirk; tight ends Evan Engram and Luke Farrell; QB Mac Jones; RG Brandon Scherff (retirement); C Mitch Morse (retirement); CB Ronald Darby; and S Andre Cisco.
The Jaguars’ special teams remain a strong point under coordinator Heath Farwell. Pro Bowl punter Logan Cooke maintains the highest net average in league history while long snapper Ross Matiscik has not had an errant snap through five NFL seasons. Second-year kicker Cam Little impressed during preseason by hitting a 70-yard field goal.
On offense and defense there are notable uncertainties. The team’s offensive line continues to be evaluated after offseason competition left three returning starters joined by newcomers Hainsey and Mekari—though Mekari’s position appears contested by Chuma Edoga. The Jaguars’ running game struggled significantly near the goal line over recent years.
Defensively, Jacksonville finished second-to-last in total defense last season with only nine takeaways—the lowest mark in the league—and also struggled with pass rush (ranking No. 28) and run stopping (No. 25). This led management to target improvements particularly within the secondary but other defensive areas also require attention going into this season.
A standout development during training camp involved third-year receiver Parker Washington who impressed coaches enough that they are exploring ways he can be featured more prominently even though he was originally slated as a backup slot receiver.
Among new faces on offense is rookie Travis Hunter from Colorado—the most recent Heisman Trophy winner—who attempts to play both offense and defense full-time despite his smaller frame raising durability questions after missing late preseason action due to an upper-body injury. However Gladstone stated he’s now “rolling full speed.”
According to BetMGM Sportsbook odds listed before opening week: Jacksonville’s odds of winning the Super Bowl stand at 80-1.
