Speaking to the reporters, Coen had nothing but praise for Washington, who was an outstanding player for the Jags in 2025. Still, he mentioned the team could use his talents even further if Washington is able to develop on routes like jet sweeps, and screen plays.

Those should be easy routes to learn as one is set up in motion pre-snap. Jet sweeps rely on speed and WR-QB coordination. As for screens, Washington needs to improve on blocking and then on his acceleration, as screen plays give a small margin for the receiver to explode, but they need to be fast enough to produce yards after catch.

Washington could emerge as the undoubted WR1 of the Jaguars

Washington led the Jaguars in yards (847) even when sharing targets with Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, and Jacoby Meyers. He was also second on receiving touchdowns, just below running back Travis Etienne, who is no longer on the team.

Washington had 265 yards after catch and broke a total of five tackles last season. The one department where he needs to really improve is on drops, as he had seven in 2025. However, his ability to constantly get open earned him plenty of targets.

Liam Coen is one to trust after a stellar rookie season as HC

Liam Coen arrived with a lot of hype to the team. He not only delivered, as the Jags had a 13-4 season, but he revived Trevor Lawrence’s career, and then gave the spotlight to Washington.

Coen is a brilliant offensive mind. Hence, when he gives advice to a player publicly, that player should listen. Coen proved to be a very good playcaller and play designer, and Washington could really establish himself as a must-watch receiver in 2026.

“It’s a group that has a lot of opportunities to them,” the head coach recently revealed during his press conference. “There’s a wide-open room. It’s truly wide open.”

Bhayshul Tuten currently appears to be the best-positioned player on the depth chart, so it would not be surprising if the ground game starts running through him as early as Week 1. With an important preparation period still ahead, Coen still has time to decide who will take on this important role for the team.

Etienne took important numbers to New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints have secured a major backfield weapon by acquiring Travis Etienne, leaving a massive void in Jacksonville that will be incredibly difficult to fill. Over his four active seasons with the Jaguars, Etienne established himself as an elite dual-threat cornerstone, cementing his place in franchise history with 3,798 rushing yards (third all-time) and 25 touchdowns on the ground. His versatility was a focal point of the Jaguars’ offense, contributing 168 receptions for 1,338 yards and 7 receiving scores.

Replacing that level of production is a daunting task for Jacksonville, especially coming off Etienne’s standout 2025 campaign, where he rushed for 1,107 yards and registered a career-high 13 total touchdowns.

Losing a player who consistently guarantees over 1,000 rushing yards while serving as a reliable, explosive target out of the backfield forces the Jaguars into a challenging offensive transition, as modern, high-volume backs with his specific skill set are exceptionally rare in today’s NFL.

Liam Coen’s backfield for the 2026 NFL season

Liam Coen will deploy a completely revamped, committee-driven backfield for the Jaguars this season. Sophomores Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr.—both selected in the 2025 NFL Draft—are expected to handle the bulk of the explosive playmaking duties, with Tuten poised to take a significant leap after serving as a reliable red-zone threat during his rookie year.

Adding powerful depth to the rotation is Chris Rodriguez Jr., who brings valuable familiarity with Coen’s system from their college days together and will likely anchor the short-yardage and goal-line situations.

To round out the group, seasoned veterans Ameer Abdullah and DeeJay Dallas provide reliable pass-catching options out of the backfield and critical special teams versatility. While losing an elite feature back is never easy, Coen’s new-look stable offers a diverse, specialized mix of youth and experience tailored to keep defenses off-balance.

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday, Coen lauded Lawrence’s “toughness and humility,” noting that the quarterback’s durability throughout a grueling 17-game season was a major factor in Jacksonville’s AFC South title run.

“Four new systems, multiple different head coach situations, OCs, whatever it is,” Coen said. “Go throughout the season, and you find out, I mean, doesn’t miss a single practice, doesn’t miss a single throw in practice, played the whole season. MVP finalist, Comeback Player of the Year finalist, did some great things. There is so much room to continue to improve, and I think that’s what we’re excited about attacking.”

A stabilized foundation in Jacksonville

When Liam Coen joined the Jaguars in early 2025, he inherited a franchise that had struggled to find stability. The team had endured frequent coaching turnover, and the roster lacked the continuity and elite weaponry necessary to elevate Lawrence to the next level.

The landscape in Jacksonville has since shifted dramatically. Lawrence now benefits from a formidable supporting cast, including Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Mayers, and the versatile sensation Travis Hunter. This improved arsenal helped the Jaguars secure their third AFC South title and established the offense as one of the most explosive units in the conference.

Coen emphasized that his continued presence provides Lawrence with the rare luxury of system continuity, sparing him from the “relearning” process that hampered his early career. However, the path ahead remains difficult; the AFC South is arguably the most competitive it has been in years, with both the Colts and Texans coming off strong 2025 campaigns.

The cost of franchise success

The Jaguars’ commitment to Lawrence is reflected in the massive five-year, $275 million contract extension he signed in 2024. Although he dealt with a left shoulder AC joint sprain and a concussion during the initial year of that deal, his resilient and impressive 2025 campaign silenced any doubts regarding the investment.

With $200 million in total guarantees and an average annual salary of $55 million, the expectations for Lawrence are at an all-time high. The ultimate question remains: Can he lead the Jaguars to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history?

The front office moved quickly to put together the most competitive roster possible, securing a key weapon for their star QB ahead of what’s to come. It seems Liam Coen has reason to be optimistic.

Insider Jordan Schultz, via his X account, announced this interesting move in Duval: The Jaguars are re-signing TE Quintin Morris to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million.

This move gives Jacksonville a very intriguing tight end group heading into the 2026 season. In addition to Morris, the roster includes Brenton Strange, Johnny Mundt, and Hunter Long.

Surrounding Lawrence in the best way possible

As we approach the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars are laser-focused on fortifying the roster around Trevor Lawrence to maximize his championship window. A critical component of this plan is the return of dual-threat sensation Travis Hunter, whose recovery from a late-2025 knee injury is reportedly on track for him to resume full football activities by May.

While the team has already taken a steadying step by securing reliable tight end Quintin Morris through a contract extension, a major question mark remains in the backfield. The Jaguars are working to prevent star running back Travis Etienne Jr. from hitting the open market, as his departure would leave a significant void in their high-octane offense.

With the draft looming, the front office is expected to use their capital—including a key second-round pick—to ensure Lawrence has the elite protection and versatile weaponry needed to keep Jacksonville at the top of the AFC South.

The season-ending injury he suffered last year was devastating, although prior to it the level shown by the former Buffaloes standout was promising. Before going down, Hunter was on the field for 324 offensive plays and 162 defensive plays.

What will be interesting from here on out is the decision Liam Coen and the rest of his coaching staff make regarding the position he’ll occupy starting in Week 1. Will his role continue to lean toward wide receiver, or will he take on a bigger presence at cornerback?

According to a recent report from Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to make Travis Hunter a starting CB and have him play full-time on defense, while using him only part-time at WR.

Travis Hunter’s intriguing rookie season

Hunter’s rookie campaign with the Jaguars showcased his potential as a reliable target, primarily lining up as a wide receiver throughout the season. He finished his debut year with 28 receptions for 298 yards, finding the end zone once and maintaining a solid 10.6 average per catch.

While his numbers were modest, his ability to stretch the field and adapt to the professional pace suggests he could become a much bigger focal point in the offense moving forward.

What injury did Hunter suffer?

Hunter suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee during a practice on October 30, 2025. Following successful surgery in November, his recovery has been progressing smoothly; as of February 2026, head coach Liam Coen reported seeing him “bouncing around” in the weight room, signaling a strong rehabilitation. He is expected to be fully cleared for Week 1 of the 2026 season, with a high probability of participating in OTAs this May.

Coming back from a serious injury like the one the versatile player suffered at the end of October 2025 is often no easy task. However, the coach knows that Hunter will not only return in top form but will also be a threat to his opponents once again.

“A minor setback for a major comeback,” Coen said this week on the NFL Daily podcast with Gregg Rosenthal and Jourdan Rodrigue. “He will come back from this. He will be great.

“One step at a time, one day at a time. And what that looks like going forward, shoot, I can’t tell you — we were evolving as we went, right? Time at practice on offense, defense. We were pretty fluid with it, and so it will give us a great opportunity to evaluate it again this spring. I do expect him to return to form, though.”

What injury did Hunter suffer?

Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Hunter is currently recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered during a practice in late October 2025. He underwent successful surgery in November to repair his LCL, and his recovery is reportedly going as expected, with a projected return to football activities by May 2026.

Despite the injury, the Jaguars front office and head coach Liam Coen have made a final decision as they still plan to utilize him as a two-way player (cornerback and wide receiver) in the upcoming 2026 season.

“It was so unfortunate to get hurt like that on a bye-week practice that he had just come off having a 100-yard game,” Coen also added. “It made us obviously have to pivot in some ways, and it was super frustrating, but he is the type of human being, the type of dude that will get better from this.”

Liam Coen has made it clear that, despite this being his debut season as an NFL head coach, he has plenty of potential to offer. In fact, his impressive campaign speaks for itself, and no one can take away his dream of continuing to make steady progress.

Facing them are the Titans, who struggled week after week, with Cam Ward having a tough time finding his footing in his rookie season, and even parting ways with Brian Callahan midseason. Already eliminated from playoff contention, their best option now is to aim for a high pick in the upcoming draft.

What happens if the Jaguars lose to the Titans?

If the Jaguars lose to the Titans, their No. 3 seed is in serious jeopardy. Should a Jacksonville loss be paired with a victory by the Houston Texans (11-5) over the Colts, the Texans would claim the AFC South division title. This would cause the Jaguars to tumble from the third seed down to a Wild Card spot, forcing them to play their opening playoff game on the road.

What happens if the Jaguars defeat the Titans?

If the Jaguars defeat the Titans, they will finish the season with a 13-4 record, keeping their hopes alive for a higher seed in the AFC. However, they remain behind the Patriots and Broncos (both 13-3 entering today) in the standings, meaning Jacksonville would still need both teams to lose their respective games to move up from the No. 3 seed and potentially challenge for a first-round bye.

AFC South standings before Week 18

• Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
• Houston Texans (11-5)
• Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
• Tennessee Titans (3-13)

What Coen has done this quickly is virtually unheard of. Adam Schefter put it plainly on X: “Jaguars HC Liam Coen is now the only first-year head coach in NFL history to win 12-plus games after taking over a team that had four or fewer wins in the prior season.” The Jaguars were a reset project a year ago. Now, they’re contenders.

The turnaround hasn’t been built on hype or shortcuts. Even after a midseason stretch where Jacksonville dropped three of four games, Coen kept the focus narrow. The response was emphatic, seven straight wins with Lawrence posting 16 TDs and only 5 INTs.

Trevor Lawrence is thriving inside Coen’s vision

Much of Jacksonville’s surge traces directly to Trevor Lawrence playing the best football of his career under Coen. According to PFF, since Week 13, Lawrence hasn’t committed a single turnover-worthy play, earning a 91.6 PFF passing grade and a 120.8 passer rating, numbers that place him among the NFL’s elite over that stretch.

What makes the jump more striking is how it’s happening. The Jaguars don’t feature a star-studded receiving corps, yet Coen’s structure has unlocked efficiency and confidence. Lawrence is operating under center more than ever with 3,752 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with just one in December.

Jacksonville’s offensive design reflects that balance. Coen leans heavily on 11 personnel from under center, stresses defensive backs with spacing, and uses screen passes as extensions of the run game. The result is an offense that stays unpredictable as the 9th best in the league and a quarterback who looks fully in control with an 7.1 average yards gained per pass attempt.

What Liam Coen has accomplished in his first season as head coach has been nothing short of remarkable, with many already positioning him as a serious Coach of the Year candidate. Entering Week 17, the Jaguars boast an 11–4 record and sit atop the AFC South.

The matchup against the Colts shapes up as another major divisional test for a team that has clearly moved beyond being a pleasant surprise and now has its sights set on making a deep run this season — and perhaps even dreaming of a long-awaited trip to the Super Bowl.

What happens if Jaguars lose to Colts?

If the Jaguars fall to the Colts today, their record would drop to 11–5, leaving them tied with the Texans. While their playoff spot would remain secure, their position in the seeding would be seriously jeopardized, especially with contenders like the Patriots, Bills, and the Texans themselves in the mix.

Last meeting vs. the Colts

In their Week 14 matchup at EverBank Stadium, the Jacksonville Jaguars delivered a dominant 36-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Trevor Lawrence shined with a stellar performance, throwing two touchdown passes and leading a high-powered offense that took control from the start. This win allowed Jacksonville to sweep the season series and solidified their place at the top of the AFC South.

It was a tough blow, no doubt about it. Having victory within reach with a 19-point lead and squandering it in the blink of an eye can be a harsh setback. That’s why Coen knows it’s time to bounce back quickly and keep looking forward.

“We can’t relive the moment,” the HC said, via the team’s website. “We can’t change anything about the outcome of yesterday. It sucks, it’s brutal. But this is the NFL. The real adversity, the real response to gut wrenching, tough losses like this. Everything is in front of us. We have every opportunity to go win this week. That’s all that matters.

“We’ve got to win this week. When the players get back in the building, we are preparing for another opponent. We have to get this tape fixed and corrected and moved on, but I’m not worried about losing the team by any means.”

Turn the page

Liam Coen’s comments on the Jaguars’ tough loss last weekend were met with agreement from his players. Arik Armstead nodded in support of his head coach’s words, acknowledging that it’s time to turn the page and quickly focus on the upcoming game against the Chargers.

“Whether you like it or not, we have another game coming up here in six days,” Armstead said of the Jaguars’ game on Sunday. “Lingering about what happened this last game isn’t going to do anything for the Chargers.

“You learn from your mistakes. You get things cleaned up and then you move on. We’re still in a very good position, with our season ahead of us. You turn the page and get back to work.”

Bounce back quickly

The Jacksonville Jaguars are set for a pivotal three-game run that will test their AFC South standing. It begins with a challenging home matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Following that, the Jaguars hit the road for back-to-back divisional contests: first, a West Coast trip to face the Arizona Cardinals, and then a critical AFC South showdown against the Tennessee Titans. Securing wins in this stretch, particularly the divisional contest, is essential for Jacksonville to maintain its grip on the division lead.

After missing three straight practices with an ankle injury, the team officially ruled him out for Week 10’s game versus the Houston Texans. This will be the first time in 2025 where the Jags don’t have their most talented receiver.

Travis Hunter is also sidelined, so literally the two-best wide receivers of the team are out of commission. The Jaguars also lead the NFL in dropped pases. It’s a huge problem on the team.

Brian Thomas Jr. has struggled this season

Brian Thomas Jr. had such an incredible rookie season that this year the expectations were sky-high. However, the LSU product has not lived up to that during his second year. You could say he is going through the infamous ‘sophomore slump‘ and his chemistry with Trevor Lawrence has diminished.

Thomas has 30 receptions in 60 targets, for 420 yards and just one touchdown. He also has nine drops already. In comparison, he had 65.4% catch rate instead of 50%, he had 1,282 yards and ten touchdowns. As a matter of fact, he also had seven drops in all season, so he already surpassed this number in just eight games this season. Liam Coen is not happy with those struggles.

Who can step up for the Jaguars?

Newly-arrived Jakobi Meyers will slide right into it and he is a very good wide receiver, however he barely knows the playbook. Also, Parker Washington has been surging as a big weapon amid all the injuries.

Washington has 19 targets in the last two games. He’s caught 12 receptions for 142 yards in those two games. He is likely to have another big games against a tough defense like Houston’s.