JACKSONVILLE – They're close and getting closer.
Travon Walker is sure of it, and that remains a theme around the Jaguars as a difficult season continues. They're 2-7, but that doesn't mean quitting.
It also doesn't mean the season is over or lost.
"This is a great team with all the talent in the world," he said. "I feel like everybody sees that. It's the little, small things. We're not finishing. It's the simple mistakes we're messing up on at critical moments in the game. We can't do that if we want to be a top team in the NFL.
"As long as we just continuously have the mindset, which we do have to this day, of just coming in and working hard and taking it day by day and getting one win at a time, I feel like we'll be pretty good. We just have to finish strong."
Walker, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and a three-year Jaguars starter on the edge of the defense, spoke to senior writer John Oehser for this 2024 Week 10 O-Zone Podcast. He discussed – among other topics – his steady improvement as a player and pass rusher in three NFL seasons.
Walker, after registering 3.5 sacks as a rookie, finished last season with 10 sacks and leads the Jaguars with 6.5 sacks through nine games this season.
"I do feel I am progressing every day," Walker said. "That's something I live by on a day-to-day basis. I just want to continuously grow as a person off the field and on the field. With that, no one can really say whatever they want to say about me.
"I want to continuously bring whatever I can to the table to help my team win."
Walker also discussed his first career NFL touchdown – a 35-yard fumble return in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday.
"It's an instinct feel," he said. "It was like the Super Bowl commercial a few years ago when you saw the ball on the ground with guys diving at it. You have to get on it as a defensive player, then my instincts just kicked in, trying to score, trying to help my team win.
"Once it happened, I enjoyed it because once I got on the sideline, I felt the energy that it brought to my team. It would have been a lot better if we would have won."
To listen to the entire O-Zone Podcast with Walker, click HERE.
