JACKSONVILLE – Shad Khan thinks the new uniforms are cool. He likes them.
A lot.
The Jaguars' owner spoke to the media for several minutes following the 2018 State of the Franchise on Thursday – and while his thoughts on the uniform weren't the only news from the briefing, they were notable.
"They're classic, they're simple, they're powerful, they're agile, they're winning," Khan told reporters moments after Thursday's hour-and-15-minute event in the US Assure East Club at TIAA Bank Field.
"I love them," Khan added. "I think it's the winning style."
This marks the second uniform change since Khan took over ownership of the team in January 2012. The Jaguars' uniforms the past five seasons featured a two-toned helmet with multiple panels on the uniform, and what could be defined as a modern-looking design.
The uniforms revealed Thursday indeed are a simpler and traditional look, and can be seen here. Teams are allowed under NFL rules to change uniforms no more than once every five seasons unless there is an ownership change.
"We looked at a lot," Khan said. "Obviously, our time was up. We were looking for something that's timeless."
Khan said that in addition to appearance possible competitive advantages were explored when making the change. He also said Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin – the team's head coach from 1994-2002 – had major influence on the new design.
"The two-tone helmets – they weren't popular – but maybe they had a competitive disadvantage," he said. '[Perhaps] you could see the player turning their head and what have you, so we wanted to look at, 'Is there something that gives us even a competitive advantage in the uniform design?' All of that was taken into account."
Take a closer look at the all-new Jaguars Nike Vapor Untouchable uniforms.
Khan also on Thursday discussed renderings shown at Thursday's event depicting possible development in downtown Jacksonville adjacent to TIAA Bank Field. Jaguars President Mark Lamping said during Thursday's presentation that the Jaguars and the city will work with Baltimore, Maryland-based Cordish Company – an internationally-known development company – to further plan development around the stadium.
Renderings shown Thursday included multiple towered hotel/residential buildings, a convention center and a newly-designed marina.
"We can control things we control," Khan said. "The site obviously has some challenges ecologically. Otherwise, we're getting great work from the city, [Jacksonville] Mayor [Lenny Curry' and the [City] Council as well as the state. As soon as we have legal approval, we're ready to move."
Khan said many details about the project remain unknown, including whether residential space would be permissible.
"Our goal is to have as much flexibility as possible," he said. "That's what we're requesting from all of the regulatory agencies."
Lamping during Thursday's presentation emphasized the project would occur over an extended period, and also emphasized that the development should create jobs. Khan agreed.
"That would be the first thing we want to start with," Khan said. "I think the rest of the things, they're very easy."
Khan also was asked about Thursday's announcement that the Jaguars will be the first team to feature a dog park in their home stadium on game day. The dog park will be presented in conjunction with Jacksonville-based Pet Paradise.
"I think it's something unique, starting with the sponsor," Khan said. "It's the energy of the town, and I think it's another innovative thing the Jaguars are doing."
