JACKSONVILLE – The building and planning continue.
As Head Coach Liam Coen goes about the work that will become the Jaguars' future, he has made public a few things that will matter very much in the process.
One of those things: Building strong lines.
"I think we would all agree it needs to improve," he said.
Coen said that at his introductory press conference in January – a day when he discussed multiple Jaguars-related topics. Among them: The mentality and playstyle of the Jaguars – and not just offensive and defensive lines that must improve in the running game moving forward.
"Savages," he said. "We want to be savages, just that physical mindset. When our opponents turn on the tape, what are they looking at? Are they seeing guys playing through the echo of the whistle? You might get a flag or two early, but I want them playing on the edge.
"I want them to play on the edge because it's a violent game. They have to be that way. I want them to play that way. That's where it starts. If we can get that out of these guys, we'll be moving in the right direction."
Also among Coen's priorities: Improving a running offense that has struggled at times in recent seasons.
Coen spent last season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator, with the Buccaneers improving from 32nd in the NFL in rushing in 2023 (88.8 yards per game) to fourth in 2024 (149.2).
"The buy-in was pretty quick," Coen said.
Coen discussed extensively that buy-in, noting how Buccaneers Hall-of-Fame wide receiver Mike Evans played selflessly in the run game, "digging out of the front side of runs." and spoke of a strong running game being critical to the entire team's chances of success.
"It first started with their willingness and openness, and a little bit of humility to not want to be at the bottom anymore," Coen said. "That was the reality. They wanted more from themselves. They wanted a different respect level around their peers and around the NFL.
"All we did was come in with the mindset of it takes all 11 to get better in the run game. Those guys knew it had to happen."
The Jaguars in 2024 ranked 26th in the NFL in rushing at 101.7 yards per game after ranking 24th in the area in 2023 at 96.8 yards per game. They tied for 20th in the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns in 2024 after ranking ninth in the NFL in the area in 2023 with 17.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Monday told Up & Adams with Kay Adams he looked forward to how Coen set up the run offense.
"I'm really excited about that," Lawrence said.
The Jaguars also in the past two seasons have struggled on short-yardage and goal-line situations – and beyond statistics, Coen spoke of the tone set by a strong offensive line.
"First and foremost, when you look at the offensive side of the ball, that unit and that group is the first thing when you break the huddle that the defense sees," Coen said. "I want that to mean something. We want that to mean something. And it will.
"That's a mentality. That's personnel. That's scheme. That's technique. That's fundamentals. That's attitude. That's something that we need to make sure we instill."
Coen, too, emphasized improving against the run – with the Jaguars finishing 25th in the NFL at 132.6 rushing yards per game allowed in 2024 and 17th in the area in 2023 at 103.1 yards per game.
"We've got some talented dudes there," Coen said of the defensive line. "We've got some guys that can really go. We have multiple guys up front that can do some good things. We've got to put them in a position to be successful. That's our job. The guys are there; we can continue to add in that room, add multiple different positions as well.
"That's where it starts. To go into playoff games and to go do it, you've got to be able to run the football and stop the run, first and foremost."
QUOTABLE
- Coen on the potential for the Jaguars' defense to improve after ranking 31st in the NFL in 389.9 yards allowed last season and 28th in points allowed with 25.6: "We need to continue to get some pieces, but I do think we need to play some of those guys in positions that are more comfortable playing. Yes, we have to stop the run. But what are our guys' superpowers and how do we play to those while also continuing to develop some of the things we need to do in the run game and stopping the run? How do we just continue to play to these guys' strengths? That's what this has to be about."
