JACKSONVILLE – Press Taylor likes a lot about the Jaguars' offense these days.
There's a good feeling around what is now an experienced offense that includes fourth-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence and a slew of veterans at skill positions and along the line. Another potential strength:
The unit may be as deep as it has been in Taylor's three seasons as offensive coordinator.
"That's probably fair to say," Taylor said.
Taylor, speaking to the media Tuesday before Day 15 Jaguars 2024 Training Camp practice, discussed multiple topics – including working from the field during the team's preseason-opening victory over the Kansas City Chiefs this past Saturday. He also praised the play of the team's three quarterbacks – Lawrence and veteran reserves C.J. Beathard and Mac Jones.
"I think part of the success you see – or not part of the drop off you see – is we have capable guys leading the huddle there," he said.
Beathard is an eighth-year veteran who has backed up Lawrence the past three seasons. Jones started 42 games in three seasons for the New England Patriots, who selected him No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Taylor said the Jaguars like their offensive depth beyond a quarterback position that could be among the NFL's deepest.
"The back end of your roster really shows in the preseason," he said. "We feel good about the development we've had across a lot of position groups. The offensive line, it didn't feel like there was much of a drop off when those guys came in the game, which is what you really want to see.
"They're carrying things that we've tried to emphasize since April over out into the field. We were encouraged by what we saw so far."
Taylor on Tuesday also discussed calling plays from the field Saturday after working games from the press box the past two seasons.
"There's a difference," Taylor said. "Up in the box it's more sterile. It's a calm environment. You can kind of spread out your call sheet and look around a little bit. On the field, there's more emotion that can be involved – probably not in the preseason, but in the regular-season games.
"It's nice to be able to look guys in the eye when they come off [the field]. That's all stuff we did through the headset. But now you just go and have that face-to-face interaction. That's nice as well."
Taylor said it's not yet clear where he will work during the season.
"I liked it on the field," Taylor said. "We'll probably do it again this week and just keep seeing how it goes. It's a work in progress. We're testing a lot of things."
PLAY OF THE DAY
NFL training camp practices can run together. Occasionally, there are plays that will be long remembered – and rookie running back Jalen Jackson turned in just such a play Tuesday. Jackson, who signed with the Jaguars as a collegiate free agent from Villanova following the 2024 NFL Draft, got just behind a defender on a deep route down the sideline in a seven-on-seven drill and made a twisting one-handed reception for a 20-yard reception from Jones – one of the harder-earned receptions in recent Jaguars training camp memory.
STANDING OUT
- Rookie kicker Cam Little converted two of three field goals Tuesday, converting from 55 and 53 yards and missing from 54 yards. …
- Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell registered a pass breakup. …
- Second-year cornerback Erick Hallett II had an interception on a deflected pass from Beathard late in practice. …
- Running back Gary Brightwell caught a long pass down the left sideline for a 50-yard touchdown during seven-on-seven work. …
- Wide receiver Devin Duvernay had a 20-yard reception from Beathard on a crossing route late in practice. …
INJURY WATCH
Four Jaguars players missed practice Tuesday: Linebacker Foye Oluokun (hamstring), running back running back Keilan Robinson (toe), tight end Patrick Murtagh (ankle) and safety Andrew Wingard (knee). Guard Ezra Cleveland (heel) returned to practice.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead (knee) was activated from the physically unable to perform list following camp on Tuesday.
