JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Rog from STA
There has been much discussion about "final say." Are we to read into this that the previous administration had more issues than we were led to believe?
Not necessarily. Whenever NFL general managers, head coaches and/or executive vice presidents of football operations are hired, a reflexive early storyline is who has "final say." It gives the impression that NFL decisions usually come down to heated discussions around large tables with the possessor of "final say" ending these discussions by fist-pounding the table while shouting references to said "say." This is rarely the case. It was much-discussed around the Jaguars at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine because there is no "final say" among Head Coach Liam Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli – and the trio said as much often this week in many introductory discussions with media. I doubt it will be discussed as much moving forward.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
I am, admittedly, "Captain Homer." That notwithstanding, I am a REAL big fan of the calm and assertiveness hand that seems to 100 percent be Tony Boselli in the role he is in right now. No official named duties as far as outside those that have been detailed, but you get the feeling he will be as involved as he wants to be in all the aspects that you love to have a trench-work Pro Football Hall of Famer – with his football acumen – involved in helping to bring winning to the surface for these hires, this team and quarterback Trevor Lawrence. And it's hard not to get the impression he wants to be, particularly, involved. Not overbearingly. But, like a loose, "passionate-stake-in-the-outcome" involved. That's as terrific of a scenario as any Jaguars fan could hope for at this stage. And if I'm betting, I'm betting what he brings in that position pays substantial dividends in the short and long term. Good stuff. Jaguars fans deserve it.
Good analysis. Boselli as EVP of Football Operations is neither above nor below Coen and/or Gladstone. He is running all football operations that don't involve on-field coaching or scouting/personnel. But while he's not overseeing those critical areas, that's not at all to say he won't be involved in discussions. Will he be overruling things or having "final say?" That's not how this leadership team works. But it's very safe to say Boselli's presence will help ensure that the Jaguars stay moving in what is clearly a new, aligned and positive direction.
Scott from Gilbert, AZ
Mighty Zone, I know you've always been a proponent of "let the rookie learn one position before trying to move him around," but am wondering if you think Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter could play 100 percent of defensive snaps along with some offensive packages year-one?
Yes.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. In regards to the upcoming draft, I'm wondering if "need" and "BAP" have kind of merged? With a heavy need at offensive line, defensive line, defensive backs and wide receiver. Seems pick at No. 5 works for both strategies?
Need versus "best available player" always is a bit tricky conversation, with the reality being that most draft selections – particularly early in the draft – always have a mix of need and "best available." But yes … there do appear to be multiple players in the Top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft that would fill a "need" and also be the top-rated player available at No. 5.
Stephen from 113 and Jacksonville via Pennsauken, NJ
John, I reviewed the NFLPA player survey and it seems like the Jags have a mixed report. Some good and some bad. It seems to me that the execs (Owner Shad Khan, Boselli, Gladstone and Coen) all have some areas "for improvement." How seriously does the executive team take the annual NFLPA players survey? Thanks
They listen. They ask questions. They look to improve where possible.
Dave from Jax
Someone should tell Daniel that most people making millions are the ones telling other people when to show up, not the other way around. I suppose it's not unheard of for players to get out of shape during the off-season, but in the NFL if you aren't internally-motivated you won't last long anyway. Nobody is going out of their way to be your mama in this league.
This continues a conversation about NFL players getting a few months off in the offseason. Few if any players these days go long without working to remain in shape. Either way, I can't get on board with anyone saying players should have a shorter offseason. If anything, the season as it stands now is too long. The offseason program absolutely is too long. The thing that's probably structured most incorrectly is training camp, which has far too few padded practices after two-a-day practices were negotiated away in 2011. If anything has hurt the quality of play, it's that. Get off my lawn.
Marty from Jacksonville
John, one of my pet peeves is the all-too common statement, "We should sign him to a one-year prove-it deal." I would like to point out that if the player who plays under that "one-year prove-it deal" manages to prove it, he has proved it to all 32 teams in the league, not just us, and at that point, he'll be a free agent, free to sign with anyone.
Fair.
Roscoe from Southside
O-Zone: What's with all the gas lighting by GM Gladstone? This team is a 4-12 squad. The triune leaders have said multiple, multiple time that it's "players, not plays." So the talent is not "better than the record" as stated by Gladstone. In fact, the talent is exactly the record. If they truly believe the team is better than their record, perhaps these talent evaluators are not as good as advertised. Why can't the decision makers say, "Look – we are a 4-12 team and there is a lot of work to do, in every area of the team. There are some areas that need more attention and that's why we were brought in." I hope for and expect a little more honesty from these guys, not rainbows and roses. Making these statements about how good the team is either disingenuous or uninformed. So tired of being lied to, puffed up, only to be let down with the team's performance over the last decade and a half. The last regime weren't idiots. If it was only a couple of improvements or tweaks, surely they would have made those improvements. Unfortunately, there needs to be six-to-eight changes/upgrades in the starting roster just to be consistent contenders. I want the Jaguars to be contenders so badly, but to say that we are there and the talent is at that level, comes off as just another sales pitch. Sorry for cynical question. I guess I'm just tired of false positivity and prefer an honest assessment.
People are going to interpret what people say however they choose. You seem to see Gladstone saying the Jaguars are a better roster than their 4-13 record as "gaslighting." In fact, this was simply Gladstone answering a question. If he feels that way, is he supposed to lie to make you feel better?
Ed from Danvers, MA
Every now and then, you read about a player selling his Super Bowl ring. Financial considerations aside (likely impossible), can you ever imagine parting with your SB ring?
My Super Bowl ring isn't worth selling. I doubt I'll part ways with it, but it has little sentimental value. I have no allegiance to the Colts.
Curtis from Shack Outside La Grange, GA
Has anybody bothered to check our new general manager's ID? He looks like he'd have a hard time buying a cold beer at Strings. You may have to introduce him to the barkeeps, Zone. Go Jags!
The Jaguars presumably checked Gladstone's identification upon hiring. He does look young. If I introduce him to the folks at Strings, he's buying. That's how I roll.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Several mock drafts have the Jaguars trading out of the No. 5 slot to teams who need a quarterback and want to get ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders who pick No. 6. Do you see this as a high potential outcome?
It's possible. The precise probability of such a trade depends on how many teams desperately want a quarterback available at the position. It seems there could be real interest in Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at the spot. We're two months from the draft. We'll get a far better feel for this one in the coming weeks.
Mike from Mensatown
O, enough with the JG "ecosystem" and boy genius stuff … Y'all are doing him a disservice with this Uber geek stuff.
I guess you're referencing Gladstone. I've said often this week he's smart because he's … wait for it … smart. He also communicates well. Sometimes when he's communicating, he uses the word "ecosystem" to discuss the environment of an NFL team. There's no "disservice" here. Just a bunch of people going about the business of doing their jobs.
