JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Dave from Jacksonville Beach, FL

Can we please stop talking about Trevor's contract? 1) There was no level of "bad" that would have prevented us from re-signing him after this season, had we waited. 2) We would not have accepted his poor play early on as "OK," if he was still playing on his rookie deal. 3) His paycheck has nothing to do to change his play on the field. That is just the going rate for a starting quarterback in this league.

Me thinks perchance you may not get your wish on this one. While I don't think I discuss quarterback Trevor Lawrence's contract all that much here in the O-Zone, it rightly or wrongly – and probably unfortunately – is the nature of the sports world in which we live that salaries are a topic when discussing players. That's particularly true of high-profile quarterbacks. We attach their salary in front of their names as routinely as we describe their positions, statistics or won-loss records. You're correct that the Jaguars almost certainly were going to sign Lawrence in the 2025 offseason had they not already done so – and you're correct that fans would criticize Lawrence's poor performances either way. I do wonder if the pressure of the contract has weighed on him a bit. I think that would be a bit natural. As for Lawrence's salary being the going rate for starting quarterbacks … yes, that's where we are these days. It's not ideal. But it's where we are.

Bill from Bostwick

ANOTHER hamstring injury, O? Are you kidding me? After so many hamstring injuries hamstrung the team LAST season? The Jaguars' training and strength staffs certainly have a role in this. Yet you never print complaints about this in the O-Zone. Is it forbidden to hold these people accountable for lack of knowledge about hamstring injury prevention. It's not ALL on the individual players. Did the Jags' staff learn NOTHING from last season's long list of hamstring injuries? It was absolutely one of many factors of the team's downfall late last season and most certainly has contributed to this year's start. If people here can call for the heads of General Manager Trent Baalke, Head Coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Taylor, they should be able to call for firing of the Hammy dumb-dumbs on the Jags training and strength staffs.

I absolutely "print" complaints about the Jaguars' training and strength staff from time to time. I don't do this very often, mainly to save those complaining from embarrassing themselves. And I'll answer this particular question in what likely will be a futile effort to clear any misconceptions in this area. Strength and conditioning staffs, no matter how good or experienced, can only do so much to prevent injuries. NFL players are human beings, not automobiles. What goes wrong with those human beings from time to time can't always be controlled. People here can call for what they like, though. They typically do, and I doubt that will change.

JT from Palm Coast, FL

Our secondary needs to step it up big time against the rookie quarterback. Hopefully our D-line can win their matchups. These next two weeks are vital on the direction of the season. They are winnable games.

OK.

Don from Marshall, NC

I really don't understand the dignity of a man like Ryan O'Leary of the Sporting News. Sad to see what sports writers have become.

When it comes to someone named Ryan O'Leary – who evidently did something comparatively undignified and who may or may not have a shred of dignity – Don apparently is not "all in."

Crash from Glen Saint Mary, FL

OZ! Be careful while you are in London. I hear there are Bears roaming the streets.

Tee hee?

Richard from Bonney Lake, WA

The NFL owners meeting is now just one week away. Have you heard any discussions about the vote for the Stadium of the Future?

NFL owners indeed are scheduled to vote next week to approve the Jaguars' Stadium of the Future, the funding for which has been agreed upon by the City of Jacksonville and the Jaguars. The owners' vote at the NFL Meetings in Atlanta, Ga., next week is the final step of the approval process. It would be surprising – nay, shocking – if the owners don't approve the deal at this point. It's big news for Jacksonville and this franchise, but I expect no surprises.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

You, sir, are – of course – correct! I was incorrectly thinking Mike Doss when in reference to Bob Sanders. My apologies and thanks for all you do to keep all of us fans up-to-date and informed on all things Jags!

I am the king of all funk.

John from Jacksonville

Hi, KOAGF. After a bad start, I'm thinking if the Jaguars can win three games in each of the three sets of games remaining, that gives them nine wins and likely a playoff opportunity. The first set is winning three games out of the Colts, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. With one win in the bag, very doable. The next set has five games to win three due to level of complexity (Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans). Tough but possible. The last set is three out of four and very doable (New York Jets, Raiders, Titans, Colts). Whatcha think? Too much math?

Any math is too much math, but you're looking at the schedule essentially the same way many NFL head coaches look at a schedule – which is to say breaking it into quarters. When coaches do this at the beginning of seasons, it means winning three games in each quarter – or 12. That typically is enough to win the division and earn a home playoff game. For the Jaguars, it indeed would mean winning nine games – which is to say having a realistic chance at the postseason. Is it doable? Yes. This team can play with any team and be in pretty much every game the rest of the season. Can it make enough big plays to turn the season around? Stay tuned.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

I am at a loss for how you can possibly believe that passing the ball and getting incompletions with the lead is better than running out the clock even if the Jags lose yardage. Aggressiveness is a fine trait in football but allowing little to no time for the other team shows more poise, and poise counts! #Takedownthedam Clocksir

You're referencing the Jaguars opting to throw rather than run when leading with a little more than three minutes remaining in each of the last two games. I believe throwing made sense because … wait for it … it makes sense. The Jaguars ran for one yard on first down in this situation and ran clock in a loss to the Houston Texans in Week 4. They completed a short pass for no gain in this situation and ran clock in a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Houston had two timeouts remaining and the Colts had three, which meant both teams could stop the clock well before the two-minute warning. Running on second-and-9 or 10 with three and a half minutes remaining in that situation is a very efficient way of giving the ball back to your opponent with about three minutes remaining. With how the Jaguars' defense has played in recent weeks, is it a great idea to give the opponent the ball back with a chance to win or tie with three minutes remaining?

David from Chuluota, FL

KOAF – The Jaguars are playing their next two games in London. What are the chances that the Jaguars activate UK rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit for the games abroad?

Minimal.

Josh from Orange Park, FL

Serious question: which blows harder, Hurricane Milton or the Jaguars fourth-down play calling?

Your question suggests the Jaguars don't call good plays on fourth down because they don't convert more often when they go for first downs on fourth down. This makes sense because it's always coaching in the NFL.

Andrew from Halifax

Hey, O. Maybe I missed the love for our kicker, but Big-Hams Cams hitting a 49-yarder to win the game as a rookie is promising. Nice to know we can trust him in big moments.

Far be it for me to allow "love" to be missed here in the O-Zone, for this is a place for kindness and praise. And rational thought. Jaguars rookie kicker Cam Little indeed deserves gobs of love for his 49-yard game-winning field goal with :17 remaining in a 37-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday. He had shown impressive leg strength and accuracy since being selected by the Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft. On Sunday, he showed he can handle a big situation. This was unsurprising to those who have been around Little the past few months, but it was nonetheless a big moment. Good stuff.