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The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to be overlooked heading into the upcoming season.
Even after a campaign in which the Jaguars finished the regular season with eight consecutive wins en route to a 13-4 record and AFC South division title, they continue to be slept on and dismissed by the national media.
I get it. Jacksonville doesn't really have any reasons to be thought of as one of the AFC's premier teams.
Oh, wait. They have a 26-year-old quarterback who was just a finalist for the NFL MVP award. They have a head coach and a pair of coordinators who many believe might be the best coaching trio in the league. The Jags had the NFL's top defense against the run last year. Jacksonville also has possibly the deepest wide receiver room in the league. The Jaguars are also getting a healthy Travis Hunter back, and his ability to be either a top receiver or a true shutdown cornerback will finally get to be shown off in 2026. Brian Thomas Jr., who looked like one of the best WRs in the league as a rookie in 2024 before a disappointing sophomore year, looks rejuvenated and has been one of the best players during offseason practices.
But other than that, almost nothing.
Keeping in line with underestimating the Jaguars, ESPN's crew of AFC South writers got together to make their collective choice on who will win the division in 2026.
It was, of course, not the Jaguars.
Jacksonville was picked to finish second in the AFC South this year, with three of the four writers choosing the Houston Texans as their pick to take the division crown.
The foursome put together a preview of each AFC South team. It is worth reading in its entirety, as it offers insights into not only the Jaguars, but all three of Jacksonville's division rivals.
Here is what they had to say about Jacksonville:
Last year's record: 13-4
FPI ranking: 17
FPI predicted win total: 9
Strength of schedule: 22nd
"The Jaguars are hoping to do something the franchise hasn't done in nearly 30 years: Make it to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (they made it each year from 1996 to '99). The franchise has only had back-to-back winning seasons just twice since then (2004 and '05, 2022 and '23). In coach Liam Coen's first season, the Jaguars won the AFC South thanks to standout play from QB Trevor Lawrence. If Lawrence has truly unlocked his potential, Jacksonville has a chance to repeat as division champs."
What's one thing we should know about this team?
"The Jaguars believe CB/WR Travis Hunter, coming off knee surgery that ended his 2025 season in October, is going to help improve the pass rush in Year 2. The team did little in the offseason to address one of its biggest weaknesses (32 sacks, ranked 27th) but believes Hunter's elite coverage skills as the team's No. 1 corner will make the overall coverage significantly better. That will give the rush more time to get to the quarterback, which will result in more pressures and sacks."
Who's going to turn heads in camp?
"There's no reason to think it won't be WR Parker Washington ... again. He has been one of the camp standouts in each of the past two seasons. It hadn't really translated to the regular season until last year, when he moved into a bigger role after injuries to Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. Washington responded with career highs in catches (58), yards (847) and TDs (five). He was Lawrence's top target in the final three weeks of the season -- 29 targets, 19 catches, two 100-yard games."
Which move will have the biggest impact this season?
"The hiring of Brian Picucci as run game coordinator. The Jaguars' run game tailed off late last season -- 128.1 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry in Weeks 1-12, dropping to 91.2 YPG and 3.3 YPC in Weeks 13-18. Coen hired Picucci, who helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' run game go from last in 2023 to fourth in the NFL in 2024, to make the unit more consistent despite the loss of their starting back, Travis Etienne Jr. Replacing Etienne will be Chris Rodriguez Jr., Bhayshul Tuten, and LeQuint Allen Jr. -- who combined to rush for 901 yards last season. Picucci will be looking to get the most out of that group in 2026."
It looks like ESPN is trying to hedge its bets with Jaguars. On one hand, the group of writers is suggesting Lawrence can lead the team back to a division title, but on the other hand, has only projected the Jags' win total for the season at nine.
Not only will nine wins almost certainly not be good enough to win the AFC South, it likely won't be good enough to even earn a wild card spot in a loaded AFC Conference.
ESPN has Jacksonville ranked as its 17th-best NFL team for 2026. After what everybody saw from the Jaguars last year, that is almost unfathomable.
Everyone in the Jaguars' organization should be used to being disrespected by now. ESPN's latest dismissal of the team's chances in 2026 should be nothing more than another piece of bulletin board material.
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Continue reading...
Even after a campaign in which the Jaguars finished the regular season with eight consecutive wins en route to a 13-4 record and AFC South division title, they continue to be slept on and dismissed by the national media.
I get it. Jacksonville doesn't really have any reasons to be thought of as one of the AFC's premier teams.
Oh, wait. They have a 26-year-old quarterback who was just a finalist for the NFL MVP award. They have a head coach and a pair of coordinators who many believe might be the best coaching trio in the league. The Jags had the NFL's top defense against the run last year. Jacksonville also has possibly the deepest wide receiver room in the league. The Jaguars are also getting a healthy Travis Hunter back, and his ability to be either a top receiver or a true shutdown cornerback will finally get to be shown off in 2026. Brian Thomas Jr., who looked like one of the best WRs in the league as a rookie in 2024 before a disappointing sophomore year, looks rejuvenated and has been one of the best players during offseason practices.
But other than that, almost nothing.
Keeping in line with underestimating the Jaguars, ESPN's crew of AFC South writers got together to make their collective choice on who will win the division in 2026.
It was, of course, not the Jaguars.
Jacksonville was picked to finish second in the AFC South this year, with three of the four writers choosing the Houston Texans as their pick to take the division crown.
AFC South Preview
The foursome put together a preview of each AFC South team. It is worth reading in its entirety, as it offers insights into not only the Jaguars, but all three of Jacksonville's division rivals.
Here is what they had to say about Jacksonville:
Last year's record: 13-4
FPI ranking: 17
FPI predicted win total: 9
Strength of schedule: 22nd
"The Jaguars are hoping to do something the franchise hasn't done in nearly 30 years: Make it to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (they made it each year from 1996 to '99). The franchise has only had back-to-back winning seasons just twice since then (2004 and '05, 2022 and '23). In coach Liam Coen's first season, the Jaguars won the AFC South thanks to standout play from QB Trevor Lawrence. If Lawrence has truly unlocked his potential, Jacksonville has a chance to repeat as division champs."
What's one thing we should know about this team?
"The Jaguars believe CB/WR Travis Hunter, coming off knee surgery that ended his 2025 season in October, is going to help improve the pass rush in Year 2. The team did little in the offseason to address one of its biggest weaknesses (32 sacks, ranked 27th) but believes Hunter's elite coverage skills as the team's No. 1 corner will make the overall coverage significantly better. That will give the rush more time to get to the quarterback, which will result in more pressures and sacks."
Who's going to turn heads in camp?
"There's no reason to think it won't be WR Parker Washington ... again. He has been one of the camp standouts in each of the past two seasons. It hadn't really translated to the regular season until last year, when he moved into a bigger role after injuries to Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. Washington responded with career highs in catches (58), yards (847) and TDs (five). He was Lawrence's top target in the final three weeks of the season -- 29 targets, 19 catches, two 100-yard games."
Which move will have the biggest impact this season?
"The hiring of Brian Picucci as run game coordinator. The Jaguars' run game tailed off late last season -- 128.1 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry in Weeks 1-12, dropping to 91.2 YPG and 3.3 YPC in Weeks 13-18. Coen hired Picucci, who helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' run game go from last in 2023 to fourth in the NFL in 2024, to make the unit more consistent despite the loss of their starting back, Travis Etienne Jr. Replacing Etienne will be Chris Rodriguez Jr., Bhayshul Tuten, and LeQuint Allen Jr. -- who combined to rush for 901 yards last season. Picucci will be looking to get the most out of that group in 2026."
Final Thoughts
It looks like ESPN is trying to hedge its bets with Jaguars. On one hand, the group of writers is suggesting Lawrence can lead the team back to a division title, but on the other hand, has only projected the Jags' win total for the season at nine.
Not only will nine wins almost certainly not be good enough to win the AFC South, it likely won't be good enough to even earn a wild card spot in a loaded AFC Conference.
ESPN has Jacksonville ranked as its 17th-best NFL team for 2026. After what everybody saw from the Jaguars last year, that is almost unfathomable.
Everyone in the Jaguars' organization should be used to being disrespected by now. ESPN's latest dismissal of the team's chances in 2026 should be nothing more than another piece of bulletin board material.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
