2025 AFC South Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars Football

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars walk into the 2025 season under a bold new regime, with fresh leadership, new weapons and heavy expectations—especially for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is tasked with proving he can still be the franchise cornerstone under first-year head coach Liam Coen.

New Leadership at the Helm

A full-scale reset began early in the offseason. On Feb. 21, 2025, the Jaguars named James Gladstone as general manager. At just 34, he became the youngest GM in the NFL. Formerly the Rams’ director of scouting strategy, Gladstone built a reputation as one of the league’s sharpest evaluators and quickly put his stamp on Jacksonville with aggressive roster moves.

Less than a month earlier, the team had hired Liam Coen, Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator in 2024, as head coach. Coen brings an offensive pedigree from his time with the Rams and Buccaneers, where he helped design systems that maximized quarterback efficiency and diversified the run game. His job now: build a sustainable system around Lawrence and finally unlock the potential that has only surfaced in flashes.

A Draft-Day Statement: Travis Hunter

Gladstone didn’t waste time making a splash. On draft night, he traded up from the No. 5 pick, sending Cleveland the Jaguars’ 2026 first-rounder and a second-round pick to land Travis Hunter, the Heisman-winning star from Colorado.

Hunter is the rare modern two-way player, capable of lining up at wide receiver and cornerback. His elite ball skills and explosiveness make him a potential game-changer on both sides. Though he suffered an upper-body injury in training camp, the Jaguars expect him ready for the opener.

The move reflects Jacksonville’s ambition under its new leaders: bold, creative, and willing to take calculated risks to reset the franchise’s direction.

Reviving Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars’ season ultimately hinges on Lawrence. Now entering his fifth year, he has experienced highs as well as stretches of inconsistency and injury. Last season featured nagging shoulder issues and a concussion that slowed his progress.

Coen inherits the task of building Lawrence back into the steady playmaker Jacksonville envisioned when it drafted him No. 1 overall in 2021. His system, rooted in quick reads, motion and timing, should simplify Lawrence’s process and create more rhythm in the passing game. The hope inside the building is that Lawrence can return to the form he flashed during Jacksonville’s 2022 playoff run.

Offense: Weapons and Workhorses

The Jaguars have surrounded Lawrence with a mix of established and emerging playmakers.

• Brian Thomas Jr. looks like a budding star. The former LSU wideout posted 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie and is set to be the centerpiece of Coen’s passing attack. His size-speed blend has drawn comparisons to Mike Evans, whom Coen helped feature in Tampa Bay.
• Travis Hunter provides instant electricity when healthy, giving Lawrence a true X-factor who can stretch defenses.
• Dyami Brown, a free-agent signing, adds depth and outside speed.
• At tight end, Brenton Strange steps into a larger role following Evan Engram’s departure. Coen’s offenses have traditionally used tight ends as matchup weapons, making Strange a breakout candidate.

Backfield: A True Committee?

The Jaguars’ backfield might be more unpredictable than in past seasons.

Travis Etienne Jr. has been the lead option since arriving in Jacksonville, but his workload has been heavy, and the results inconsistent behind uneven offensive line play. With Liam Coen in charge, the offense could shift toward a more balanced committee approach.

Tank Bigsby is the name to watch. Entering his third season, the 2023 third-rounder has earned praise for his power running and improved patience. Coaches have hinted he could handle a significant share of early-down work, particularly in short-yardage and red-zone situations.

Rookie Bhayshul Tuten, a fourth-round pick, adds another layer of versatility. His speed and ability in space give him a chance to carve out touches as the change-of-pace option, and he could contribute in the return game.

Instead of leaning on one feature back, the Jaguars may ride the hot hand week to week. That approach could keep Etienne fresher, give Bigsby more opportunities to showcase his physical style, and allow Tuten to grow into a role as the season progresses.

Defense: Depth and New Leadership

Defensively, the Jaguars turn to new coordinator Anthony Campanile to stabilize a unit that too often bent and broke in 2024.

The front is led by Josh Allen and Travon Walker, one of the AFC’s most talented edge tandems. Both must provide steady pass-rush production if the secondary is to hold up. Jacksonville reinforced the interior with veteran Khalen Saunders, whose size and leadership should improve run defense.

In the secondary, the return of Tyson Campbell from injury is critical. Jourdan Lewis was brought in for stability, while Jarrian Jones, a slot corner, continues to develop. Travis Hunter could see limited action at corner, depending on how the staff balances his workload.

Depth remains a concern, but players like Dennis Gardeck offer rotational spark as pass rushers. Campanile’s task will be cutting down the explosive plays that plagued the Jaguars last season while keeping the defense opportunistic.

Setting Expectations: Realistic Yet Ambitious

After a 4–13 finish in 2024, expectations are measured but optimistic. Oddsmakers set Jacksonville’s win total around 7.5, a figure that reflects uncertainty about Lawrence but confidence in the roster’s upgrades.

A realistic projection is between seven and nine wins, with a chance to push into double digits if Lawrence thrives and Hunter delivers early impact. The AFC South remains winnable, though Houston’s young core is the division’s current standard.

Schedule and Key Matchups

The Jaguars’ schedule offers both opportunity and tests:

• Week 1 vs. Carolina — The opener at home provides a chance to showcase Hunter and set the tone.
• Division games vs. Houston and Tennessee — As always, the path to the postseason runs through the AFC South. The Jaguars must improve their divisional record to stay alive in the race.
• Prime-time dates — National-stage games against playoff contenders will serve as benchmarks for how far this team has come under Coen.

Why Jacksonville Could Make Noise

Jacksonville isn’t a finished product, but the ingredients for a turnaround are clear:

• A creative new head coach tailored to Lawrence’s strengths.
• An aggressive GM who added a generational talent in Hunter.
• A deeper, more balanced backfield led by Etienne, Bigsby and Tuten.
• A defense with cornerstone pass rushers and reinforcements in key spots.

The Jaguars have lived in the shadow of potential for years. In 2025, with a retooled front office and a coach-quarterback pairing still in its honeymoon phase, the opportunity to deliver finally feels real.