JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Josh from Atlanta, GA
After watching him for the years you have, do you still believe Trevor has the chance to be a truly elite quarterback in the NFL? Traditionally, he has been given enough time to make that distinction, but his performance has been hampered by injuries and continuous disruption in coaching and subpar talent around him. I like to think the right system and a good bit of luck in health will have him at the level we expected coming out as a generational prospect. Assuredly never the next Peyton Manning, but a guy that can be in the MVP CONVERSATION consistently.
I absolutely believe Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has the chance to be in the NFL Most Valuable Player conversation consistently – and to be an elite quarterback for a long time. Remember: He was in the MVP conversation in late November 2023 when the Jaguars were 8-3 and leading the AFC South. He had played well that season to that point, but I certainly believe he can be better than he played during that period. I also think he can do that consistently. If he can, and if the Jaguars win consistently, he will be in the MVP conversation consistently. That's absolutely possible.
Josh from Jacksonville
Are the days of backup quarterback development gone? Guys that go on to be starters after signing in free agency or via trade? Jimmy G, Matt Schaub, Matt Hasselbeck, Brett Favre, Mark Brunell, etc. It seems as if the draft-develop-trade model has been traded for one-year stop-gap guys.
Those days aren't over, necessarily – though we are in what has become something of an all-or-nothing era when it comes to NFL quarterbacking. Teams suffer through awful seasons and hope they win the "NFL lottery" with an awful record a season before a perceived "generational quarterback" is available in the NFL Draft. When that quarterback isn't elite soon enough – within a season or two – regimes either change or hit "reset" and search for another "generational quarterback." And so it goes. Perception often rules the day in this version of the NFL, and most teams don't have the inclination or guts to trade for a young backup – even if they might believe that player could be a long-term starter.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Any chance of former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette making a contribution to Jaguars.com sometime in the future?
Gene's retired. Retired means retired, even for Gene.
Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA
Why not settle the uniform/logo debate for good? Why not a simplified graphics leaping cat logo? Think lightning bolt-jagged lines and angles. An open-mouthed side profile, teal eyes and tongue? Black helmet, teal jersey and black pants (no stripe). One 'fer Poz! Watched the Buffalo Bills game on television (when he was a Bill) where he broke his arm tackling someone! Hit someone like you mean it and for crying out loud wrap!
I don't know that this idea – or any idea, for that matter – will "settle the uniform/logo debate for good." That's because it seems from this view that half the fun in the uniform/logo debate – or any debate, for that matter – is the unsettled part that allows fans to be fans and to do what fans do. As for former Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny breaking his arm while tackling someone while with the Bills … yes, that's on brand for Posluszny. He was as tough as any linebacker could be – and a damned good linebacker, too. One fer Poz? Absolutely.
Joel from Mandarin, FL
O, I can forgive you for maybe not being a fan of The Goonies. After all, you don't have to be a fan of The Goonies to have the heart of a Goonie. My biggest concern this season is if the Jaguars finally have the people in place and the heart to win those close games. I'm not saying I expect the team to win every single game ... that is an almost impossible task in this league. But I have to say I'm kind of tired of hearing the old "it's tough to win in this league" rationalization after a loss. I see many other teams that don't seem to have trouble winning enough regardless of any super star players they have on the team. At that point it always boils down to coaching and the coaches getting the most out of the players they have to work with on the team. I'm excited for this season to see what happens but I've also been excited for each season until the season actually begins and we see the actual play if you know what I mean. I'm ready for the Jaguars to finally not say "it's tough to win in this league" during their postgame interviews and simply win!
It's always coaching in the NFL. Even in the dead zone, apparently.
Robert from Elkton
In preseason, I would line up Jags in a wishbone for a few plays. Put running backs Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten on the field at the same time with wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. Call one running play, then same set on the next few plays, motion Tuten and Etienne to wide outs. With that much speed on the field, the options for runs, reverses and play-action could really stress a defense and I would love to see how they react and substitute. Can you pass this on to the coach?
Will do. I expect this conversation to go well, as have most conversations when I have passed suggestions for plays on to head coaches and coordinator. They love this. They act like they don't, but they do. Boy, do they.
Lawrence from Blair, NE
Zone, I know you are secretly a humble guy and so you want to dismiss the "masses" who want O-Zone merch. It's real, though. I'd order a coffee mug the day it came out if I could. Fan engagement has been so critical to this team staying in Jacksonville, and I struggle to think of a more engaging experience than a daily Q&A with one of the top inside journalists (if not the highest) in the team's media division. Even if you mask your humbleness with jokes, I think you have been a critical force of this team's longevity in Jacksonville. Heck, some of us, at least one person (and he knows who he is), may even be a bigger fan of the Zone than the Jags. Give us some merch! … Please?
I am the king of all funk.
Steve from Nashville, TN
Are you noticing an increase in Trevor Lawrence's veteran leadership presence and maturity or is it just me?
I confess I haven't noticed a significant increase, perhaps because it's still just the offseason. Also: I thought Lawrence has shown increasing maturity and leadership in recent seasons, so it's possible I just see it as normal growth for a quarterback at this stage of his career.
Gator from Gainesville, FL
So no one wants to ask the tuff questions. Leev it up to me. Wuts cunserning bout Hunter is them glasses. They look thick like he's blind. How's he gonna see the ball?
Probably the same way Travis Hunter did when winning the Heisman Trophy at the University of Colorado in 2024.
Brandon from Louisville
Was listening to Jeff Lageman the other day, and he hast me concerned about Trevor. He said Trevor didn't have a good day and his feet look bad. I'm afraid he's not going to ever live up to where he was drafted.
Remember this: Lawrence will not have a good day every day. Not in practice and not in games. Peyton Manning was the best quarterback I ever have covered and there's a decent chance he will be the best quarterback I ever will cover. I once watched him throw six interceptions in a game. This was at the peak of his career.
Ed from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
I do not believe Travis Hunter will play both offensive and defensive positions. Is there anyone in the NFL that is doing that? I think one or the other will be decided in September. Am I totally wrong?
Anyone can believe what they like, I suppose, but I will stunned if Hunter doesn't play both cornerback and wide receiver in 2025. Hunter plans to do it. He always has done it. While no one else in the NFL is doing it, the Jaguars have a plan for it and fully plan for him to do it. It would be faaaaar more surprising at this point if he doesn't do it than if he does.
Armand from Jacksonville
How do you see the backup center competition between Fortner and the seventh-round selection going to go in your opinion?
The competition between Luke Fortner and Jonah Monheim for the backup center position hasn't really started yet. Padded practice begins in late July.
