JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Karter from Sahuarita
I was watching Happy Hour and listened to them talk about Travon ready to have a great season. From what I've watched this preseason, I 100 percent agree. What have the coaches said about his preseason performance? My apologies, I haven't watched too many coach interviews.
First: No apologies necessary for not watching coach interviews. Second: The content of these interviews can often be found in stories on this free website written by a writer who once had a "bright" future, but who now can be read only in this corner of the interweb interacting with observers and fans who astoundingly – perhaps by osmosis or perhaps by pure good fortune – possess greater football knowledge than those running their favorite team. Third: Jaguars coaches generally have praised Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker during 2024 Training Camp and preseason. Head Coach Doug Pederson discussing Walker on Monday: "You're seeing a guy that is like a sponge. He's just eating up all the coaching points and it really has been beneficial to him on the field. You're seeing his length show up. You're seeing his power and explosiveness show. Just continues to get better each week, just continues to improve. You see his speed, that athleticism on tape and the physicality part of it, I think shows up. He's done a really nice job."
Jami from Claxton, GA
What does waived with an injury settlement mean for C.J. Beathard and the Jaguars?
The Jaguars waived former reserve quarterback C.J. Beathard with an injury settlement Tuesday. This was among 27 moves made by the Jaguars to reach the 53-player regular-season roster limit. This means Beathard no longer is with the team. It means the team cannot re-sign him for at least seven weeks if they want to do so.
P Funk from Murray Hill
Three days ago, I felt the Jags had good depth at defensive end with some tough decisions to make around cut time. Those tough decisions were made. Now, with three defensive ends left on the roster, depth there is thin, thin, thin. How does Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen's defensive plan to rotate defenders often to keep them aggressive and fresh work with only three edge defenders?
The Jaguars see defensive end differently than you. First: They see four defensive ends on the roster – Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Arik Armstead and Myles Cole. They also see an 11-player defensive-line group that is going to rotate with multiple players playing inside and outside.
Bill from Bostwick
I'm sure Blake Hance was cut with clinched teeth. Does the O-Zone think the Jags will develop rookie Javon Foster at left guard during practices this season? Or is Foster's skill set keep him as a tackle-only player? I'm thinking here how Cooper Hodges came in as a tackle, but his future is at guard.
I'm also sure the Jaguars struggled at least a bit with the idea of releasing offensive lineman Blake Hance Tuesday. This team puts a premium on capable linemen, as evidence by keeping 21 offensive/defensive linemen on the 53-player roster. I would expect the Jaguars to try hard to get Hance on the practice squad. I also would expect the Jaguars to continue developing Foster first at tackle, with the idea that he could work at guard once he is ready at tackle. Remember, too: While Hodges indeed played tackle at Appalachian State, the Jaguars always have seen him as an interior offensive lineman.
Bill from Bostwick
Why Otomewo over interior offensive linemen such as Hance and longtime Jaguar Tyler Shatley, who adds depth at both guard and center? Hated to see Shatley not be able to have his last NFL season as part of Jacksonville's 53.
I'll reiterate here what I have reiterated many times in recent weeks: The "final 53-player roster" is very much am NFL misnomer these days. Teams can now keep six veterans on the practice squad, and they can elevate those players to the active roster periodically. They also have the option of signing a player from the practice squad if necessary. I expect the Jaguars would like Shatley and Hance back on the practice squad and I expect there's a good chance that may be the short-term option for both to remain in the NFL. I don't know if Shatley would be warm to this. He may decide he doesn't want to be on a practice squad in Year 11. We'll see. Why retain defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo over those two players? They thought he was the better option right now and they thought there was a high risk of another team claiming him.
Matthew from Charles City
Do the Jags have a plan given the disadvantage for away teams at Dolphin Stadium? Keeping fresh has got to be priority especially with the explosive abilities that team presents.
I expect the Jaguars' plan for this game will be to rotate defensive players and arrive at Dolphin Stadium in as good a shape as possible. Will the Dolphins have a huge edge in the regular-season opener September 8. Maybe. It has been kind of hot in Jacksonville in recent weeks.
J.Hooks from Orange Park, FL
Shatley getting chopped is a bummer. He had just said it would be his last year and wanted to retire a Jaguar. Why did they cut a complete offensive lineman versus some rookies? I don't think he'll make it on the practice squad. What's your take? 10 for Shatley.
Teams release players because they believe there are better players on the roster. I would say that was the reasoning for most of the offensive linemen the Jaguars retained on the 53-man roster. A possible exception would be rookie Javon Foster, who may need a bit more developing than most of the offensive linemen retained but who has a skill set worth developing.
Chevin from Jacksonville
Is it fair to say the Jaguars essentially paid $42,500.00 for Seattle's 2025 sixth-round draft slot?
You're referencing the Jaguars trading defensive end Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks Monday for what reportedly will be a sixth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. You're also referencing the $42,500 signing bonus the Jaguars paid Gipson to sign as an unrestricted free agent in March. Because that was the extent of what the Jaguars paid Gipson … sure, you could say the Jaguars paid that for a sixth-round selection. Most teams would pay that.
Melvin from Tulsa, OK
Why didn't Josh Proctor play more in the preseason?
Proctor, a rookie safety who signed with the Jaguars as a collegiate free agent shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft, indeed played sparingly in the preseason – just 11 plays. Remember: Not all evaluation comes from preseason games. My sense is Proctor may be a player the Jaguars would like on the practice squad. Stay tuned.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Why do we need seven defensive tackles on the 53-man roster?
Don't get overly caught up in defensive line positions. While DaVon Hamilton is a pure nose tackle, many other players on the defensive line will play interior positions and on the edge. The Jaguars kept 11 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster. Why so many? Because they plan to rotate the position heavily and because when in doubt, retain linemen.
Woody from Dunlap
KOAF: Noticed that C.J. Beathard was "released via injury settlement". Does this mean his injury is serious enough to derail his career? Or does it indicate possible retirement? Both or none of the above?
When teams release players who are injured, they pay them injury settlements. Beathard now is free to sign with any NFL team.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach. FL
John - Can you please expand on why "Lawrence indeed is not elite yet." What will it take - a Super Bowl Championship? Thanks
I feel like I've discussed this often and extensively throughout the offseason and into recent days. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence isn't "elite" yet because he's not one of the NFL's best four or five quarterbacks. He is on his way, but hasn't earned the status. He hasn't taken a team deep into the postseason. He hasn't had a season in which he has been a serious Most Valuable Player candidate. He hasn't yet "carried" a team throughout a season. He has been very good for the most part in the last season and a half when healthy. He wasn't nearly as good late last season when playing through injuries.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
When do undisclosed draft picks received in compensation for a traded player become disclosed?
When teams disclose them.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
Saw you posted the 53-man final roster on X. Not sure how often you post because I'm new to the platform, but it's the first one I've seen of yours. I hit you a reply. Am just hoping you don't ghost me. I can take a lot of things ... but never that.
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