JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Brad from The Avenues
OK, John. I'll admit, I get the advantages to having the first, or even the second, overall pick. But it's the freaking Titans, man. We gotta beat the freaking Titans. Our best season in the history of this team forever overshadowed by the ancient evil enemy. Sweep the Titans and I'll be content to move on to next season. Go Jags!
I've received a few of these emails, and you know what? That's how it should be this week. The Jaguars enter Sunday's road game against the Tennessee Titans with a 2-10 record. They have been eliminated from the postseason with five games remaining. Few seasons in franchise history can match the miserable and disappointing failure that is the 2024 Jaguars season – and that's a remarkable statement considering the team's on-field performance the last two decades. Because of that, they indeed are in position for a very early selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Does that matter? Sure, but this is not a pull-for-the-best-college quarterback draft. And while draft position matters, this is not the time to consider it. A fan is supposed to root for his or her team to win on Sundays. A fan is supposed to turn on the television, root for the good guys and hate the bad guys. The Titans on Sunday are the bad guys. Is it OK to root against them and be happy if the Jaguars win? Darn tootin' it is.
Dave from Jacksonville
"[Jaguars quarterback Trevor] Lawrence also must continue to improve in all areas – preparation, awareness, field vision, experience, accuracy." Wow - that's quite a list! I'm glad the Jags decided to tie the fate of their franchise to that elite diamond two years earlier than they were forced to!!
Wow! We're all glad for things this time of year! You're glad about your thing! I'm glad you decided to focus on that sentence and not the fact that I wrote that while Lawrence needs to improve in those areas, he is not bad in those areas and all young quarterbacks must keep improving on these areas!
Jesse from Texas
What do you think are the chances of a Jags head coach and/or general manager change at the end of the season?
Decent.
Bruce from Saint Simons Island, FL
O, The Jags are currently in the pole position for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Much more discussion, of course, to follow. At least now Mac Jones has a chance to show whether he should be a starter in the NFL, a backup, or not. This has been a rough year for all Jags fans (and I am also an OSU alum). Hopefully the Jags will not continue this trend. What are your thoughts on Jones?
I think Mac Jones is a fine option for an NFL backup quarterback. I think he's going to have a long career in the NFL. He's not going to be great all the time. If he were great all the time, he would be starting somewhere. He's also not going to be bad all the time. He's a fine option for an NFL backup quarterback.
Jaypee from The Vortex
Mac Jones' play was pretty bad until around the fourth quarter last week. Do you think we would have been better off or just as good with C.J. Beathard? He cost us a sixth-rounder and I don't feel like he's been much of an upgrade. Or does he just need more time in the system?
The thought here is the Jaguars are slightly better off with Jones than with Beathard. I think a sixth-round selection is a pretty minimal cost to try get slightly better. It's sort of whatever.
Johnny from Jacksonville Beach
In fairness you could have stopped at, "The Jaguars currently are built offensively."
What?
Michael from Las Vegas, NV
I drive Uber in Vegas and wear my Jags jersey on game day. Many passengers express support for being a fan in a tough year. Can we look forward to the day somebody says the Jaguars are the team nobody wants to play in the postseason?
Sure.
Don from Marshall, NC
I am pretty sure the interviews and analysis that you got from Bill Belichick after his games will keep him out of the Hall of Fame. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to understanding the true importance of NFL head coach's postgame media availabilities, Don remains "all in."
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, as a follow up to my last post. It's true - a buddy and I go to a local sports bar named Hammerheads wearing our Jag swag. We are the only two fans that show up each Sunday. And yes, we do scream "Super Bowl" after minor and significant plays. This tends to drive the other patrons crazy. We could care less. We root our team win or lose. It's what real fans do.
Go Jaguars.
Greg from Section 122, Jacksonville, FL
Really hope you answer this, and yes it isn't nice. The point you are not addressing nor considering in this whole Trevor situation is called optics. The fans of this team who loyally support it see a front office, head coach, owner.... that all appear very apathetic about the hit to the FACE of their franchise. Now do I expect him to come out throwing water coolers and raging, no. But the whole contain the emotion in front of the press, people, etc. Optics man. Cause this is MY perception, and it is probably wrong (ask my wife). If the coach and rest of the organization doesn't care why should I? I mean I see these ads about the next Jags home game and instantly think why bother? I don't believe you guys give the fanbase enough consideration or credit and if the message we keep seeing doesn't inspire us, well they just might lose the fanbase. Which would be really bad all things considered. And made worse by the appearance he is going to probably retain the FO. Good luck with that.
I understand optics. I understand people believe the Jaguars should have responded differently and more emotionally to Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's hit on Lawrence that concussed him and essentially ended his 2024 season. I understand fans wanted a pound of flesh. I understand fans wanted to see Head Coach Doug Pederson shouting and cussing during and after the game. I understand fans wanted violence in response. I understand there is a huge disconnect here and that fans aren't going to change their minds. Nor should they change their minds. I can't control those things. I can answer questions and tell you why things happen. The rest, like most things Jaguars, is above my paygrade.
James from Socorro, NM
People calling this the most disappointing season don't remember 2018 or 2000 or 2008 or.
Fair.
Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld
It's hard to focus on actual games this season, so I apologize for this question. When Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke and the coaches discussed plans to sign defensive end Arik Armstead, did they all think it was a good idea to sign a free agent to learn a new position? You tell us it's difficult for rookies to learn multiple positions. Were Baalke and the coaches really on the same page? Our team has done this in the past (Bryce Paup, Tim Tebow). Is signing veteran free agents to play different positions common in the NFL?
No need to apologize for the question. It's legitimate. I have explained a lot of Jaguars issues in 14 seasons. I'm good. I don't know that I'm good enough to answer this question. Even the great ones fall short sometimes.
Hilarious from Funnytown
Here's a hot take: don't invest a quarter billion dollars in a single human and then it won't really matter if they go out and play real football. This is a consequence of greed.
That take might not be quite the temperature you think it is.
Motler from C-Ville
Just a note to let you know our son was so pumped to have been acknowledged in the O-Zone and he appreciated the shout out by Nick. We were lucky enough to be at the game in Pittsburgh last year when they got a W and this year we attended the home game against the Vikings. As disappointing as this season is, it is special to be part of a fandom. The Jaguars are our team and we ride or die with them. We send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Trevor! Go Jags! DUUVALL!!
The season is long since lost. That doesn't mean some parts about the NFL can't still be pretty damned cool.
Bobby-Lite from Weaverville NC
O Man, thank you for providing a platform for fans to fan. Can we get one fer the O-Man himself?
One fer the ass hat, evidently.
