JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Tim from Jacksonville

How can you say the Jaguars don't have needs? You're an idiot. Gary's right: You suck. They were 4-13 last year. All they have is needs.

This is a fair point, though when I wrote and said recently that the Jaguars didn't have needs what I meant was they believe they have filled all glaring needs following the first week of 2025 free agency so that they have capable starters at all positions. They signed guard Patrick Mekari and center Robert Hainsey as unrestricted free agents last week with the idea they can start and strengthen the offensive line, and they signed safety Eric Murray and wide receiver Dyami Brown with the idea they can start and strengthen their respective positions. Jourdan Lewis, who also signed as an unrestricted free agent, should start at nickel and tight ends Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt are capable of complementing Brenton Strange. This was a functional free-agent class with a short-term feel, but yes … the Jaguars absolutely still have needs. They must improve pretty much everywhere and that must begin with the 2025 NFL Draft. But the positive about the draft now is the Jaguars shouldn't have to reach for a specific position, which is where teams get in trouble. The goal now must be to get more impact, big-moment players. You have a better chance of drafting that when you're not worried about filling an immediate spot on the depth chart.

Kevin from Daytona Beach, FL

Who the Jaguars taking?

My Scooby Sense – and not my Scobee Sense – tells me you're wondering who the Jaguars will select in the '25 draft. I expect there's a real chance the Jaguars select a defensive lineman or a wide receiver in Round 1, with defensive tackle Mason Graham a real possibility. Offensive line and secondary are also possibilities. The Jaguars have four selections on Days 1 and 2 – one in Round 1, one in Round 2 and two in Round 3. I expect edge rusher, offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback and safety will be strong possibilities to be in the group. The Jaguars have 10 selections in the draft. It's going to be a busy, important three days.

Hooks from Orange Park, FL

We're like a version of the "Bad News Bears." I have a feeling these losers in free agency are going to have significant impact on this next season.

OK.

John from Jacksonville

I watched your new "Bozone" podcast and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli was commenting on how they needed to remain flexible in free agency. If they pursued a player who wasn't interested, they would have to go to Plan B. Then I read the Jaguars pursued nine free agents and all nine agreed to terms. How rare is that in NFL free agency?

Quite. The Jaguars targeted players they believed would fit and that they had a high chance of signing. They thought therefore that they had a chance at a large percentage. They were a bit surprised to sign them all.

Tim from Fernandina Beach, FL

John: What do you think about the career renaissance of Geno Smith and Sam Darnold? Both were nothing burgers with the New York Jets and have blossomed with new teams. Are the Jets that bad of a quarterback dark hole (among other teams) or are these guys just flash in the pans. My big question is: how many quarterbacks have been ruined by dysfunctional teams? I suspect a bunch.

A few thoughts here. One is that the state of an NFL franchise absolutely affects how a quarterback develops. Another is that the league currently is set up very poorly to develop young players at the position; early-drafted quarterbacks too often either must perform immediately or be cast aside as the team searches for the Next Guy. Perhaps the most overriding thought I have along these lines is that the expectations of most observers for young quarterbacks are simply too high, which leads to reactions being too extreme. Professional football is a dramatically different game than college football, and many quarterbacks – even highly-rated ones – enter the league unprepared. They haven't faced complex defenses and they often haven't even taken snaps from under center. They usually have been able to succeed mostly on physical skills – and they are rarely used to the mental discipline and preparation required to succeed in the NFL. I think the career resurgence of Smith and Darnold is part of a trend of "failed" quarterbacks growing into the position and succeeding once they understand more about how to succeed in the NFL. And I think there's a good chance we'll see the trend continue in the coming seasons.

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! I would like to get your take on something me and my son were chatting about when it comes to helping a quarterback out. One thought was to build the line and get a weapon at running back and wide receiver so you can run at will, thus allowing the passing game to open up. The other, build a stout defense to keep the score low and not put so much pressure on the quarterback and offense to average 30 yards a play just to keep up. Is one way better than the other. What says you, O-Zone?

There isn't a bad answer here. I'll lean toward building the offensive line and running game. A weak offensive line and running game means quarterbacks having to throw too often against defense that know he's going to throw. Rare is the quarterback who excels when that's the case.

Kyle from Jacksonville

Who ya got in the tourney, Zone? Have you filled out a bracket?

I have filled out an NCAA Tournament bracket. The first game I watch start to finish in the tournament will be the first time I have done all season. I picked Florida to win it because I had to pick someone. The Gators seem as good as any.

Wilbur from Jacksonville

Johnny O, in your recent answer about the Pride of the Jaguars you mentioned there's a long list of players you feel are more deserving of enshrinement than wide receiver Christian Kirk or tight end Evan Engram. Can we get the short list? Who do you feel is most likely to be enshrined next? Does Brackens ever make it in? MJD? Does Meyer have a shot to be the next coach in?

My thought is that wide receiver Keenan McCardell should be the next player enshrined in the Pride of the Jaguars, with running back Maurice Jones-Drew and defensive end Tony Brackens soon thereafter. I don't expect former Head Coach Urban Meyer to be enshrined, at least not soon.

Brian from Gainesville, FL

Big O, the Jaguars are not really considering playing the renovation years in Orlando, are they? That's not really fair to the local fan base. Gainesville is convenient and close enough to Jacksonville to make the commute realistic. The Swamp and Gainesville can handle the influx for major football games. Plus, there is a reason that the Citrus Bowl is referred to as the —itrus (word that rhymes with Citrus but starts with S) Bowl. It's quite possibly the worst football stadium in America.

Yes, the Jaguars are considering playing home games in Orlando in 2027. This pretty much has been public knowledge since the beginning of the Stadium of the Future process. Orlando is a legitimate option for many reasons, with the number of NFL-level hotels among them.

Nick from Annapolis, MD

According to Pro Football Focus, the Dallas Cowboys have not spent big money on a free agent since giving cornerback Brandon Carr a five-year, $50.1 million deal in 2012. I was shocked.

OK.

Aaron from Atlanta, GA

I'm really excited about the Gladstone front office. I think he was the right hire. But the grammar of this "intangibly rich" phrase is entirely unclear. I *think* I know what he's trying to say, but I know "intangibly rich" isn't saying it. He seems to mean rich with intangibles — it'd be great if he'd define those intangibles, by the way — as in, he wants to bring in players who possess many intangible traits. If that's the case, what he's trying to say is "intangible-rich." Intangibly rich would mean something more like rich in ways that can't be defined, which isn't all that helpful when defining things. It's the difference between a run-heavy offense and a runly-heavy offense. The former tells us about the offense, the latter is nonsense. Grammatically incorrect jargon aside, I'm all on board. Godspeed, Jimmy.

Jaguas General Manager James Gladstone is a high-end communicator. What that means in terms of his position is the ability to communicate a vision and philosophy to the entire organization. Grammatical accuracy is nice in this area. What's more important is that people around him understand what he means. I have little doubt this will happen.

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

I'm just being honest: Gabe Davis makes me want to fight.

You go, girl.