JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Jason from Jacksonville

I was doing some reading on this year's head coach and general manager candidates and honestly it doesn't seem like a great year to find either. For coaches, there's really only Ben Johnson and then a bunch of guys who already had a shot and got canned. For general managers, it looks even worse. If the Jags decide to clean house, do you think Khan can find anyone who will be an upgrade over what we already have? There are not many hot names out there this year, unfortunately.

Time will tell what Jaguars Owner Shad Khan decides after the 2024 regular season regarding Head Coach Doug Pederson and General Manager Trent Baalke – and considering the Jaguars are 3-12 entering Sunday's home game against the Tennessee Titans, anything is possible. Whatever happens on that front, "hot names" mean nothing when it comes to general managers and head coaching candidates. And there are undoubtedly qualified, capable people who don't find themselves on such lists. Remember, too: NFL history is full of failed general managers and head coaches who have been "hot" candidates. In fact, most head coaches and general managers have been "hot" at some point. Lists, vibes and the opinions of analysts mean not a whit when it comes to hiring head coaches and general managers. Find the right people, make sure they can work together and bring in good football players. That's the formula whatever the year.

Al from Fruit Cove

Our best receiver drops a pass. Defensive linemen can't figure out where the line of scrimmage is. Multiple pre-snap penalties. Our Pro Bowl-caliber punter shanks one. The quarterback throws too long or too short multiple times. Is it all just coincidence, or is it possible that the team enjoyed too much Vegas on Saturday night?

The Jaguars are 3-12 following the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders to which you are referring. You're writing the O-Zone, so I assume you have watched many Jaguars games this season. The point is the Jaguars are more than capable of doing these things without being in the City of Sin.

Brad from The Avenues

Pride matters. This game, this week matters. If you aren't old enough to remember Jeff Fisher's comments look them up. We're bad, they're bad, whatever, beating the Titans will always matter. Go Jags!!!

One fer beating the Titans, evidently.

Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld

Regarding backup quarterback and soon-to-be-free agent Mac Jones, what kind of compensation draft pick can we expect for letting him go? Do you think the interest from other teams will preclude the Jags from re-signing him?

Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones indeed is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, and that indeed raises the possibility of the Jaguars receiving a compensatory selection in the 2026 NFL Draft if he signs with another team. I expect Jones to play in the NFL in 2025, and from this view he likely will be a backup. It's possible the Jaguars will have interest in Jones, and that interest could depend on who is making such decisions. The level of a compensatory selection depends on the compensation Jones receives to sign with another team. I would be surprised if that compensation is enough to give the Jaguars much more than a late-round selection. That's my feel on this. I have felt wrong before. Stay tuned.

Woofie from Louisville, Ky

Hope springs eternal, right? Alexander Pope never had to watch this team. Duuuuuuvallll!

OK.

Steve from Nashville, TN

We still have a few small nuggets to play for these next two weeks, sweeping division rivals Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts and finishing 4-2 in the AFC South for the third straight year?

The Jaguars indeed can accomplish those goals this season. They also could sweep the Titans for a second time in three seasons, which could give them a 5-1 record against Tennessee in the past three seasons. There are fans who would think that was cool. They would like that.

Don from Marshall, NC

Maybe they are eating too much chicken? Go Jaguars!

When it comes to … well, something … Don remains "all in."

Rob from Orange Park, FL

I still watch, although not from my stadium seats, and root for good Jaguar play, but still want them to lose so we have a better draft position and Shad is mad enough to change general manager and head coach. I just again signed up for season tickets next year with the triumph of hope over experience! I want to support this team but for heaven's sake it's hard.

These sentiments are common. Too common. It's the Jaguars' fault that these sentiments are so common. It has been a long season. Too long. Stay tuned.

Brendan from Yulee, vacationing at work

Back to the defensive line rotations conversation. I think tying up two-to-three roster spots for weekly vacationing defensive linemen seems like a wonderful idea. *slow clap*

My sense is this is a sarcastic, angry email trying to be funny. I'm not smart enough to get it. That doesn't mean it's not funny. It doesn't mean it doesn't make some version of a good point. It just means I'm not smart enough to get it.

Anita from Springfield

I keep circling this year's free-agent class as the largest cause of our decline. Past years we got ascending players and drafted alright. This year we got declining players and drafted alright. Drafting will always have misses but there is a LOT more young and viable talent on the field than I've seen in years past. But our salary cap and a lot of our "need to be your best players" are at best fine and often play like liabilities (especially wide receiver Gabe Davis, defensive end Arik Armstead and cornerback Ronald Darby). My fear is that bad draft picks are cheap and can be moved past or replaced easier than expensive free agents with guaranteed money. How much does whiffing on this year's free agents actually set us back? And am I right in saying they're where our major missteps were this offseason?

I can't say the 2024 free-agency class specifically caused the Jaguars' 2024 decline. While the players you cite haven't helped enough, the reality is the decline has been more about the entire team underperforming – and about the offensive and defensive lines not being strong enough to control most games. That's not the entire story of the season, but it's a part. Spending the guaranteed money the Jaguars spent last offseason doesn't help, but the thought here is it doesn't have to "set the franchise back." This is because the Jaguars will have salary-cap space to maneuver responsibly next offseason. The hope here is that the franchise moving forward will eschew free agency in general enough that the cap remains manageable. Free agency – particularly with aging veterans – is a risky game that teams rarely win. Draft, develop and trust your draft selections. You may as well do it because the alternative rarely works.

Don from Marshall NC

He is 54 and he is a legend in Jacksonville. He has the experience and the disposition to be a head coach. His offensive philosophy matches. He is disciplined. He has unfinished business in Jacksonville. Maybe we can get this thing turned around when the lefty comes back to town! Merry Christmas to all! Thank You O-Zone for another great year keeping us entertained. Streak continues and Go Jaguars!

When it comes to former Jaguars quarterback and current Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell, Don very celebratorily remains "all in."

Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville

After reading your article on Jaguars rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith, it appears a lot of his early-season occurrences of being on the inactive list had to do not only with the ankle injury, but also with his immaturity with regard to his work and preparation. It was encouraging to read that, along with coaching from several veteran teammates, he gained an understanding about the process needed to learn and improve in his job. His recent play has been encouraging; the Jaguars need his physicality on the middle of the defensive line. Do you believe he can be "that guy" to give the Jaguars the much-needed pass rush from the interior of the line?

Smith has that sort of potential. He was the No. 48 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft because he has the potential to be a force in the middle of the defense. He has shown good signs of those things in recent weeks. It's good stuff. We'll see how it develops.

Michael from Middleburg

Hey O, So Maason Smith is proving to be a defensive force. Is that why the all-knowing brain trust kept him out most of the season?

Not every rookie is ready to be a force in the early weeks of the season. Smith is starting to look good. That's a good thing.