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Some folks may look at the Jaguars’ 2026 offseason and come away underwhelmed. The only veterans they signed from different teams are rotational pieces, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Ruke Orhorhoro. Their top draft pick is an unheard-of tight end, Nate Boerkircher. Jacksonville arguably
lost more talent than it added.
The good news is that we aren’t talking about a Madden franchise here. Roster turnover is not requisite for team improvement.
The Jaguars obviously want to avoid finishing bottom-8 in sacks for a sixth straight season. Rather than continuing to throw resources at the EDGE rotation — former top-10 draft picks Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker rank eighth and 11th, respectively, in total contract value at the position — Jacksonville is optimistic that development within its young secondary will buy some extra time for Hines-Allen, Walker, and other pass rushers.
“I feel like the secondary has improved drastically,” head coach Liam Coen said at Day 2 of Mandatory Minicamp. “I think the combination of [Defensive Pass Game Coordinator] Mathieu Araujo and [Defensive Backs Coach] Anthony Perkins have done a phenomenal job in the secondary collaborating with what Campy’s [Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile] vision is back there.
“We’re trying to play a little bit stickier underneath and look, make people throw the ball over your heads. The percentages of completions of just a go ball versus a hitch or a curl, it’s so much smaller. The margin for error is so much smaller to say, man, the ball has to get completed 45 yards down the field on the red line, one-on-one. So, we’re trying to just continue to take the air out of the coverage. And that’s not just in the secondary, that’s at the linebacker position, and that only helps the rush.
“The rush and the coverage are always tied together and if we can be a little bit more sticky, a little bit tighter coverage, even when we’re in our zones, I think it’s only going to help our cause.”
Hopefully, stickier coverage will lead to not just fewer completions, but also more interceptions.
Which of Jacksonville’s projected secondary starters do you think will lead the team in picks this season?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
