JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Jimsure from DBS

Do you think Mr. Khan understands the importance of a major housecleaning at the end of the season? It is obvious the fans are totally fed up with the direction of the team. Every year we hear how good the offensive line is now, how great the defense is and that this is our year to shine. I would guess that ticket sales and renewals will crash if nothing major happens. What do you think?

I think this in a very real sense is the only Jaguars story that matters these days – and with the team at 3-11 entering a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, how could anything else remotely matter to Jaguars fans? The futures of General Manager Trent Baalke and Head Coach Doug Pederson indeed will determine the organization's future, and I expect we will know far more about that future in three(ish) weeks. Jaguars Owner Shad Khan will make that decision, and he indeed is aware of the frustration of fans just as he's well aware that a 3-11 record is unacceptable. I suspect, too, that he's also aware that fans would like to see change and he is aware that season-ticket sales will be very difficult moving forward without change. That's the current reality of the NFL. But remember: Change in leadership isn't always what's needed to change direction, and it's the responsibility of ownership to determine if fan sentiment is correct. That can lead to unpopular decisions, though unpopular doesn't always translate to incorrect. Remember, too: The Jaguars went 9-8 the past two seasons and won an AFC South title in 2022 with this same leadership. That doesn't mean change is coming. It doesn't mean it's not coming. It's just fair to remember it. Bottom line: Khan of course knows fans will be upset if there's not change. Whether he believes change is needed – or just perceived to be needed – remains to be seen.

Tim from Jax

Well, Zone. The team finally has their WR1. So where are all the victories? Millions of fans have been telling us this was what the team needed.

Having a WR1 is cool. It matters. It's not as cool as having a dominant defensive or offensive line, or elite quarterback play, or a secondary that doesn't have coverage busts at critical times. And a lot of other times.

DMiz from Jax/904

Everyone seems to have their reasons and superstitions about why the Jags suck so bad. I'm now wondering if it's because you eat at Sbarros and you don't eat wings. Hmmmmmm. Happy Holidays.

If loving Sbarros is wrong, I don't want to be right.

John from Jax

Hi, KOAGF. This might be unpopular, but the general manager seemed to have a pretty darn good 2024 NFL Draft from what I see. Yes, his free agency results this time were not that great in some cases, but people seem to be hot and cold with this guy. What is your overall assessment of the general manager during his Jaguar days?

I thought the Jaguars under Baalke did a very nice job of pulling out of a talent deficiency with solid free-agency classes in 2021 and 2022, and I thought we saw the results of that with back-to-back winning seasons. It's difficult to get out of a talent abyss in this league, and the Jaguars did that in recent seasons. I liked, too, that they didn't partake much in free agency in 2023 and I worried that they were reverted to investing too much in free agency in the 2024 offseason. The Jaguars' drafts overall under Baalke have been good. Players such as defensive end Travon Walker and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. are elite or fast approaching it, and players such as running back Tank Bigsby and tight end Brenton Strange are proving to be good selections. I thought the Jaguars' approach early under Baalke made a lot of sense because it's hard to build a depleted roster solely through the draft. While I didn't love the overemphasis on free agency last offseason, the Jaguars aren't alone among NFL teams in this overemphasis. The temptation can be hard to resist.

Mike from Daytona Beach, FL

I am a big fan of the old MASH TV series. Correspondingly, my philosophy on doctors is that if I need surgery, I do not want Frank Burns performing the operation; I want Hawkeye Pierce! So when a general manager has four years to build a team and the current record stands at 3-11, would you not expect that many fans will fear that the general manager is more like Frank than Hawkeye?

I'm not smart enough to know what this means.

Johnathan from Orange Park, FL

What is it about the end zone we don't run the ball more with either ETN or Tank Bigsby?? Are we allergic to a run play at the opponents end zone??

The Jaguars aren't allergic to this, though they have struggled enough when running in short-yardage situations in recent seasons that it's understandable they lean away from this approach.

Tony C from Jax

I accidentally watched some of the Toilet Bowl and enjoyed it! I forgot the Jags could be fun. I kept wondering, instead of A/NFC, why not relegation like Europe? So '26 South1 HOU/TB/IND/ATL and 2 as JAX/CAR/NO/TEN? New level of parity would sell more than outdated rivalries, create new regional rivalries, and let all fans spend their time and $ on the NFL, even if they have aloof or incompetent owners. Has the NFL ever shot down this idea before?

What?

Rob from Pittsburgh, PA

Is this the worst free agency class in franchise history?

Probably not. Free-agency "classes" are often disappointing because the more free agents you sign, the greater the chance for disappointment. The Jaguars have been disappointed a lot.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

I would guess at least 80 percent of the head coaches and general managers in the NFL would have taken the Jags' opening day roster over the Vikings, so sometimes it is the coaching. I agree with Izzy from high art for the drum roll for black Monday or this year it could even be obsidian Sunday.

I don't know that my guess would be the same as your guess.

Mike from Azores

Hey, John. I must question the current Jags staff's ability to evaluate talent. It certainly looks like playing Cam over Walker was a mistake. How many more current Jag players aren't getting on the field and could be better than the current starters? Give the rookies and the backups the opportunity to play in the next three games and maybe we find another surprise or two we can play next year! What is there to lose?

On the looooong list of mistakes the franchise has made, I don't know if I would have playing Cam Robinson playing ahead of Walker Little at left tackle all that high. The Jaguars are playing young players and plan to play a few more. There's a limit to how many young players you can play and still have a chance to be competitive – and you still want to be competitive.

Travis from Jacksonville

"One fer Schramm, though. But not fer Staubach. I still can't do it." It was hard to take you serious before, but this is a statement that may mean all your statements are too biased to be taken seriously. One of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and a true class act. I have his Navy jersey autographed and behind glass. If the NFL could find more No. 12 types they would be a trillion dollar business, not a billion dollar one.

I have some thoughts about what you can do with that jersey.

Levi from Huntsville, AL

Right before the season started, I wrote in worried the Jags were not going to be able to keep running back Travis Etienne Jr. This last game, he played well, feels like the first time I've noticed him since the fumble, been that kind of year. With him not performing well in a contract year, is there any chance he stays after this season?

The Jaguars last offseason exercised the fifth-year option on Etienne, which means he's under contract for the 2025 season.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John.- It was great to see Trevor on the sidelines during the Jets game. He looked great, but we have not heard much from him since his injury against the Houston Texans. Has Trevor cleared the concussion protocol? Also, has Trevor given any interviews or press availabilities since the injury?

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence cleared concussion protocol Sunday and had surgery on his sprained left shoulder Tuesday. He has not had interviews or a press availability since the injury. NFL players aren't available to the media while in the protocol.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

I love the smell of editorial wit in the morning! Merry Christmas!

Merry Krimma.