JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they move into the 2025 offseason.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Reason to hope. We move to the offseason with this week's quick thoughts, first addressing a reason to hope and secondly addressing an area to address – and the reason to hope is overall roster quality. While the Jaguars must add/develop a few difference-makers who can make big plays in key moments, the overall roster is stronger than it was in 2020-2021 when the team last had to dig itself out of the bottom of the league. Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.., defensive end Travon Walker, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, right tackle Anton Harrison, cornerback Tyson Campbell and quarterback Trevor Lawrence are drafted building blocks who figure to form the core of a team that is still young. Players such as defensive tackle Maason Smith, tight end Brenton Strange and running back Tank Bigsby are in that discussion, too. The key remains Lawrence's development, but there are pieces at all positions.
2. Area to address. The thought here is this remains the interior of both lines and the secondary. That's on the field. Equally important is the intangible of collective will and team identity. The Jaguars in 2024 lost a Super Bowl-era record 10 games by seven points or fewer. Many issues contribute to such a trend, but at some point when you're losing close games the collective in the locker room – and its leaders – must decide to do whatever is necessary not to allow that to happen. This is a player's league. It's the players' team. The young leaders on this team must decide their team is going to be a winning team rather than almost a winning team. That's why it was a good sign Thursday when Lawrence, speaking for the first time since Monday's dismissal of Head Coach Doug Pederson, said: "We need to get some juice back in this place. We've lost that in the past year and a half or so for whatever reason, and we've got to get that back. That's something that us as leaders on the team really have to look at and we've got to take our part too. This isn't just, 'We fired Coach Pederson, so now that's all on him.' It's on us as players too." This about players holding each other accountable, something that must happen whatever the identity of the next head coach.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

1. The Jaguars should (finally) be an explosive, down-the-field passing offense in 2025. Lawrence will return in '25 with Thomas his No. 1 option – and one of the game's best big-play playmakers. Lawrence according to Pro Football Focus is one of the NFL's top five deep passers dating to his rookie season and Thomas is the first elite level receiver with whom he will have played. What Thomas did with the average arm of backup quarterback Mac Jones was incredible. With Lawrence's return, Thomas is poised to give the Jaguars what they haven't had since Mark Brunell was throwing to Jimmy Smith – an almost indefensible option.
2. The Jaguars must get consistent pressure from the middle of their defensive line. They thought it would come from nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, but it didn't – and Arik Armstead produced little pressure and two sacks in his first season in Jacksonville. Until they can push the top of the pocket, they will allow offensive coordinators to slide protection towards Hines-Allen and Walker outside to eliminate the threat of pressure. They have reason to believe Smith can be that guy based the final three games of the season. He must work to get his massive form in better shape to handle the rigors of playing in the middle, but there's no denying he has the physical traits to be very productive. Rookie defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson also could be a factor after flashing in 2024, and he looks like a solid player to rotate with Hamilton and Tyler Lacy. There is also the possibility of adding a defensive tackle in a draft that looks deep at the position. Either way, the ability to collapse the pocket and send the quarterback scrambling toward Walker and Hines-Allen must take on greater urgency in 2025.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer...

1. Reason to hope. I'm encouraged by the impressive season of the Washington Commanders. Washington was once the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL, and the Commanders have pulled off a successful 180-degree flip in about one season. It gives me hope that things in Jacksonville can be another quick flip in a weak AFC South that is up for the taking. It won't be simple, but there is great potential here for the new head coach. A tone-setter needs to revamp the culture within the building and get players to buy in. Successful teams hate losing more than they like to win. I hope the Jaguars players experiencing the losses this past season will use it as motivation to never feel this way again at the end of a season.
2. Area to address: More than a few things must be addressed in the offseason, but toughness must be at the top of the list. The 2024 Jaguars lacked the mental toughness to respond to adversity throughout the season and lacked the physical toughness to dominate opponents when needed. The mentality change must come from the new head coach, and the message must permeate down through the players and team leaders. As for physical toughness, I have seen flashes from some of the younger players on the roster. Linebacker Ventrell Miller, Smith, cornerback Jarrian Jones and tight end Brenton Strange all show intensity and physicality that this team needs. I think an immediately impactful addition to this team would be a hard-hitting safety who is quick-minded and can bring stability to the defensive backs. Allowing explosive plays was the defense's biggest issue this past season. I don't see it changing with the current players on the roster. I hope the Jags choose to address that need in Round 1 or 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.