JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Michael from Orange Park, FL

I found Thursday's rollout rather lukewarm. There's just not much pop to this offseason, Zone.

My Scooby Sense – not my Scobee sense – tells me you were less than happy with the Jaguars' "rollout" of their 2025 free-agency class. Perhaps you were even less than happy with the Jaguars' '25 free-agency class overall. But while I have received multiple emails along these lines, the reality is there was absolutely nothing wrong with this class. The Jaguars this past week signed nine unrestricted free agents – wide receiver Dyami Brown, offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, center Robert Hainsey, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, tight end Hunter Long, guard Patrick Mekari, quarterback Nick Mullens, tight end Johnny Mundt and safety Eric Murray. There indeed was little "pop." But there was never going to be "pop." The Jaguars wanted to fill roster spots and raise the floor of the roster. That meant strengthening weak areas. They signed two starting offensive linemen – Hainsey and Mekari. They also signed two starters in the secondary – Lewis at nickel and Murray at safety. They also expect Brown to start, with Mundy and Long playing key roles along with Brenton Strange at tight end. This class was about function, not flash. As for Thursday's rollout … I'm a bit kerfuddled at your reaction. Six players spoke to the media. So did General Manager James Gladstone. They spoke. Then they stopped speaking. We expected, what … buttons, bells and bows?

Jason from North Pole, AK

I live in Minneapolis now and follow the Minnesota Vikings closely. They signed a lot of the high-priced veterans that I coveted as a Jaguars fan. That said, I think it is easy to forget that they likely will have a quarterback on a rookie contract next fall in J.J. McCarthy. The Jaguars, in the meantime, have quarterback Trevor Lawrence's contract extension kicking in soon. I don't think we will be big spenders in free agency moving forward simply because we can't be. The Jaguars are going to have to be very careful about who they give money to because cap space will be at premium until Trevor is no longer our quarterback.

The Jaguars weren't big spenders in free agency this offseason because they didn't want to be involved in the too-expensive, too-risky first tier of free agency. The first tier is among the weirdest times of the NFL calendar. Media swoon breathlessly over Top Free Agents and award prizes such Best Free Agent Class and Top Offseason signing. They design flashy graphics and people who once played football yell at other people who once played football about the winners of these awards. Here's hoping the Jaguars continue veering away from spending big in free agency. Not because of quarterback Trevor Lawrence's contract, necessarily, but because they've drafted well enough not to need to spend big for players other teams didn't want.

Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville

You omitted Darnell Savage's name of potential defensive backfield starters in your article that listed Five Things about this year's free agents. Is he not a starting safety candidate for the 2025 Jaguars?

He's certainly a candidate.

John from Jacksonville

I read that Mekari has played all five offensive line positions well. Did the Jaguars just find their next Shatley?

Tyler Shatley, who retired following the 2024 NFL season, was a valued and versatile offensive lineman for the Jaguars for a long time. But his versatility was limited to guard and center. Mekari not only can start, but he can play all five offensive line positions.

Anita from Springfield

I've always deeply respected Joe Thomas for his loyalty to the Browns and not "chasing a championship" with other teams. I'm sure that decision is hard for any player, much less a Hall of Fame talent. Now defensive end Myles Garrett seems likely to stay in that camp. Do we have any players you'd hold up as "lifetime Jags?" Bo feels like one, but I'm struggling for others. Hopefully, this regime can give us fans some of those stalwarts.

Spending an entire career with one team is a bit of an antiquated notion these days, with the realities of the salary cap making it that way. The player usually must be a high-end, core player for upwards of eight seasons to earn both a second and third contract – and he usually must navigate at least one regime change. He also often must continue to play at a high level and have a manageable contract in the final years of his contract. Center Brad Meester played all 14 of his NFL seasons for the Jaguars, and it may be a while – a long while – before someone approaches that.

Dan from Ormond Beach, FL

Most fans I think would have rather released Gabe Davis than Kirk or Engram. I realize that both released players save money towards the cap while releasing Davis would cost us money. Let's suppose the new leadership has no interest in Gabe Davis as a player but don't want to take the hit on the salary cap. Can they just bury him on the practice squad so he never sees the field, pay him this year and release him next year? Is this our best option if we are to hope he won't be one of our best options on the field?

I expect if all factors had been equal the Jaguars would have released wide receiver Gabe Davis as opposed to releasing tight end Evan Engram or trading wide receiver Christian Kirk. But factors were not equal. Releasing Davis would have cost the Jaguars nearly $14 million on the cap while trading Kirk saved more than $10 million and releasing Engram saved more than $6 million. The Jaguars won't "bury" Davis, though – like any Jaguars players – opportunity and snaps must be earned.

Willis from Jax

Do you think arm length is as important as draftniks make it out to be (for offensive linemen)?

It matters. But draftniks tend to get very focused on specific traits and sometimes lose sight of whether the player is good. This happens with arm length, too.

Glen from Glen Saint Mary, FL

Oz! How about an update? What's the timeline on the Stadium of the Future? Where will the Cats play during the construction?

Renovations on the Stadium Future began this offseason and are expected to be complete in time for the 2028 season. The work now being done includes the removal of steps and other demolition. The Jaguars will play home games at EverBank Stadium in 2025 and 2026. They have not yet announced where they will play in 2027. I expect it will either be Orlando or Gainesville, with the site first needing approval by NFL Owners.

Chris from Tampa

Drafting best available talent and patching roster holes with "second wave" free agency has always been the best way to build and maintain a roster. I used the term second wave because it brings me to my question. I was at first alarmed to heat the Jaguars signed nine players on the first day of free agency. That used to be the most expensive day. Now, bargains can be found on the first day? Did something change?

Bargains always could be found on the first day of free agency. It was always about choices and knowing the market.

Brian from Round Rock, TX

Impressive start by the new staff. The real question is how do they keep the observers happy. that is the important thing, right? I mean those observers are undefeated and obviously know all. The observers seem quietly disappointed at this point. Not enough money spent on old receivers, I think.

Yes. Keeping observers and fans happy in the offseason always has been the most important thing. It always has been the best way to win a Super Bowl.

Dwayne from Jacksonville

"Calvin Ridley went to the ... Tennessee Titans last year … and made the Jags pay." Ozone: "I do! I do remember that!" So we're now blaming Calvin Ridley for costing us a higher draft pick?

I don't remember anyone saying that.

Mason from Palm Bay, FL

Johnny O. Meeting you at Strings Saturday was interesting synchronicity. I've been reading O-Zone daily since you returned to the Jags in 2011, and I've also been a season-ticket holder since 2012. I've never lived in Jacksonville during that time, commuting on game days from Tampa, Orlando and currently Jupiter. I've never spent much time in the city, so this weekend when the wife and I came up to see comedian Shane Gillis, I convinced her to go to Strings as I wanted to try the Bullet Bob that you've been discussing in this column for years. As we were leaving, the King of all Funk was there himself. I'm curious if that is your office, and if that's why it's so easy for Boselli to find you?

Strings is not my office. Upon reflection, this is not the worst idea.