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?

At that time, the ceremony was held in Cleveland, and Lawrence chose to experience it in a more intimate setting, with his family and close ones in Clemson. The Jaguars were ultimately the team that selected him.

Mendoza seems to be taking the same path as his counterpart. He decided to enjoy this moment in Miami, as reported by journalist Adam Schefter, instead of traveling to Pittsburgh.

Other major absences in the Draft

While many top prospects enjoy the spotlight on stage, several elite quarterbacks have notably skipped the NFL Draft ceremony. Andrew Luck declined his 2012 invitation to focus on his final exams at Stanford.

Additionally, Joe Burrow received the news of his first-overall selection from his childhood home in Ohio, due to the pandemic.

When and where will the Draft be?

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 25 in Pittsburgh. The city is preparing to host the event across the North Shore and Point State Park, marking the first time the Steel City has welcomed the league’s premier offseason event. With the draft less than three weeks away, fans are eager to see where the next generation of stars will land.

First 10 picks

• 1 – Las Vegas Raiders
• 2 – New York Jets
• 3 – Arizona Cardinals
• 4 – Tennessee Titans
• 5 – New York Giants
• 6 – Cleveland Browns
• 7 – Washington Commanders
• 8 – New Orleans Saints
• 9 – Kansas City Chiefs
• 10 – Cincinnati Bengals

Jake Bobo is a restricted free agent, which means that the Seahawks have the opportunity to match the Jaguars offer (unknown at the moment) to keep him on the roster. They have five days to match it.

If Seattle decides to match it, it’s the same terms that the Jaguars offer. Bobo is a very good receiver, though it has been underutilized by the Seahawks so far in his career. Still, he is a very talented receiver that could thrive with Trevor Lawrence as quarterback.

Bobo came from nothing

Bobo was an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2023 and stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 207 pounds. He is also a big-time blocker on offense. Bobo is great in the red zone, and that’s why the Jaguars are looking into him.

Bobo has played 45 games, catching 34 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns. He has quite a high potential, and Jacksonville might want to exploit those talents. Now it’s time to see if the Seahawks will allow him to leave.

The Jaguars have moved a lot of names

The Jaguars signed running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. but saw how Travis Etienne left the team. The tight ends also moved as Quintin Morris and Johnny Mundt also left the roster. However, the wide receiving corp is very good. They have Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Travis Hunter.

Etienne made the decision to leave the Jaguars after five seasons, embracing a new chapter of his NFL career. He headed to the New Orleans Saints after they signed him to a four-year deal worth up to $52 million, boosting the Saints’ RB depth chart—which already includes Alvin Kamara.

Lawrence shared his thoughts on the news through social media, as NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed. “We’ve come a long way!! Going to miss you man. Been a hell of an 8 year run. Best is yet to come,” Lawrence wrote.

Lawrence and Etienne were teammates throughout their entire college careers at Clemson Tigers football from 2018 to 2020 before entering the NFL in 2021. They later played together as full-time starters for four straight seasons, helping the Jaguars reach the playoffs twice during that span. Both players emerged as key figures during those years, developing strong chemistry as an offensive duo.

The Lawrence and Etienne duo

Etienne leaves behind a significant gap in the Jaguars’ running back unit after serving as the full-time starter from 2021 to 2025. This past season, he started in all but one game, recording 260 rushes for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns, while also adding 36 receptions for 292 yards and six touchdowns.

Jacksonville finished the 2025 NFL season with a 12-5 record, winning the AFC South Division title. The Jaguars finished ahead of the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. In the AFC standings, they placed third, finishing ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Texans, while sitting behind the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos.

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.

Trevor Lawrence entered as the quarterback with the best numbers in the entire NFL in the second half of the season and seemed ready to take the next big step with the Jaguars. All of this was thanks to an offense that changed after the trade for Jakobi Meyers.

Nevertheless, with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs out of the playoffs, Josh Allen perhaps had the greatest opportunity of his career to compete for a championship. That was proven with an epic comeback to secure a 27–24 win in Jacksonville.

Jaguars out of the playoffs with loss to Bills

The Jaguars are out of the playoffs after losing by three points to the Bills. Trevor Lawrence had a chance to tie the game on the final drive but was intercepted. In addition, in a very unusual moment, Cam Little missed a field goal in the final seconds of the first half.

What’s next for Bills?

The Bills’ next game will be in the Divisional Round, although their opponent is yet to be determined. It could be the Denver Broncos, the Pittsburgh Steelers, or the Houston Texans. Allen will have to win on the road again.

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.

The game unfolded just as expected: tightly contested. In fact, up until the 7th minute of the final quarter, the score was tied at 17. A Jaguars field goal broke the deadlock, and another late in the game by Cam Little secured Trevor Lawrence‘s team a crucial 23–17 victory.

With this result, Liam Coen’s squad remains first in its division, holding a slim lead over its closest rival, the Texans. Meanwhile, the Colts and Titans were already eliminated from playoff contention.

AFC South standings after Week 17

With the final result of the dramatic game between the Jaguars and Colts, here are the current standings in the AFC South with just one game remaining. It’s worth noting that the Titans lost at home at Nissan Stadium to the Saints, marking their 13th defeat of the season.

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

Week 18 of the AFC South

The final standings of the AFC South will be decided in Week 18, as the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans battle for the division crown. The Jaguars will return home to EverBank Stadium to host the Tennessee Titans, needing a victory to secure the title and the No. 3 seed in the AFC.

Meanwhile, the Texans will welcome the Indianapolis Colts to NRG Stadium; should Jacksonville stumble, a Houston win would allow the Texans to leapfrog them and claim the division. These two matchups represent the last hurdle in a high-stakes race that has defined the divisional race all season.

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.

The only Pro Bowler on the Jaguars roster is long snapper Ross Matiscik. The team is 11-4 and is one of the most successful stories of this season. After feeling snubbed, one of the best players on the team, Devin Lloyd, opened up about it.

“You always use that type stuff as fuel,” Lloyd said to Mark Long of the Associated Press. “At the end of the day, you got to channel it the right way… Anything you can use as an edge. I don’t think I was the only one that kind of got snubbed. We’re an 11-4 team, and a lot of guys put a lot of good stuff on tape.” It’s safe to say the Jaguars are bound to prove all the doubters wrong

Devin Lloyd is clearly a name that should be in the Pro Bowl

At 6’3″, Lloyd is a huge linebacker and this is his fourth year in the NFL. Lloyd has been a huge addition to this roster as he has surpassed 110 combined tackles in his three previous years. This year he won’t get to that mark, but he is second in the NFL in interceptions. His focus has changed into being a menace in zone coverage. He feels snubbed and he might have a good case to feel disrespected.

Lloyd has been so good in coverage, that he is allowing a 59.8 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. He is such a big linebacker that he is physically superior to wide receivers and he is able to win one-on-ones. Lloyd has been a standout on defense for this team.

It’s not the first time the Jaguars have felt disrespected

A week ago, Broncos head coach Sean Payton called the Jaguars a “small market team,” something that the team took offense to. The Jaguars responded by becoming the only team in the 2025 NFL season to beat the Broncos in Denver. Trevor Lawrence is also playing the best football of his life in the last month, so this team is really a dark horse.