Jaguars aim to build on a breakout — with a Travis Hunter position debate brewing

The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of 2025's best stories, engineering a dramatic turnaround under first-year head coach Liam Coen — improving their win total by nine on the way to a division title. Now the challenge shifts from surprising the league to sustaining success, and Jacksonville's offseason featured both roster reshaping and an intriguing debate over its most talented player.

Building on the turnaround

Coen's arrival transformed the Jaguars, and continuity in his system is a real advantage heading into 2026. A team that just made a nine-win leap has momentum and belief, and the goal now is to prove the breakout was a foundation rather than a one-off. In the demanding business of following up a surprise season, avoiding regression is its own achievement.

Reshaping the backfield

The running game got a makeover when Travis Etienne signed with New Orleans, opening up a significant share of carries. Bhayshul Tuten, who impressed in the offseason program, is expected to take on a hefty role, while free-agent addition Chris Rodriguez Jr. returns from a foot procedure to compete for touches. How Coen divides the backfield — and Rodriguez's health — will be a camp storyline to watch.

The Travis Hunter question

The offseason's most fascinating subplot involves two-way star Travis Hunter. When it was reported that Jacksonville planned to use the former No. 2 overall pick primarily at cornerback with a part-time receiver role, Hunter didn't seem to embrace the plan. How the Jaguars deploy a unique, generational two-way talent — and keep him happy — is a genuine storyline, and getting it right could unlock a real advantage.

Season outlook

Jacksonville enters 2026 with a chance to prove its turnaround was sustainable. Coen's system, a promising quarterback situation, and a talented roster give the Jaguars a real shot to contend again in a winnable AFC South. The questions — the reshaped backfield, the Hunter deployment, and whether opponents adjust to Coen's schemes — are the kind a rising team must answer. If Jacksonville handles them, it can build on one of 2025's best stories. The breakout happened; now comes the harder part of backing it up.