The Jaguars are heading into a useful stretch of camp work in New Orleans, and the real action starts before the preseason game ever kicks off. Jacksonville will hold its first of three joint practices on Aug. 13 against the Saints, then line up for the preseason opener two days later on Aug. 15.
For head coach Liam Coen, the joint session is the point. He has already ruled out starters for the preseason game, saying they’ll get enough work in the controlled setting of practice against another team. That arrangement gives Jacksonville a chance to stay physical without going full-contact to the ground, while also letting more players build the kind of film that matters when the roster gets trimmed.
“It’s a controlled environment that you’re still getting physical work, but you’re thudding,” Coen told reporters on Aug. 11.
“You’re not tackling to the ground. Not as many blind shots and hits that guys maybe aren’t going to see.”
With that in mind, there are three matchups worth tracking closely as the Jaguars and Saints go head-to-head.
The headliner is Brian Thomas Jr. against Saints corner Kool-Aid McKinstry. It’s a pairing that already had some built-in intrigue from the 2024 draft class, when both were on Jacksonville’s radar.
Thomas ended up being the one the Jaguars landed, and now the two will meet again after sharing SEC battles when Alabama and LSU faced off. That rivalry adds another layer to a matchup that should bring out the best in both players.
Thomas has been a spark in joint practices before, piling up highlights during his rookie and sophomore seasons, and if his early-camp form carries over, he could make all three of Jacksonville’s joint sessions stand out.
Up front, the Jaguars’ pass rush will be tested by a Saints offensive line that gave up plenty of pressure last season. Josh Hines-Allen has been one of Jacksonville’s strongest performers early in camp, while Travon Walker has shown off his versatility.
Together, they’ll get a first real look at a new opponent this year, and the Saints’ protection group offers a meaningful measuring stick. New Orleans was the eighth-most sacked team in the NFL last season, allowing 49 sacks in 17 games, and Jacksonville has made pass rushing a priority as it looks to improve after a disappointing campaign in 2025.
The battle in the trenches should tell both sides plenty.
There’s also a cornerback-versus-receiver matchup that could say something about where both teams are headed. The Jaguars brought Montaric Brown back this offseason because they believe he can handle the job of being their top cornerback.
The Saints used a draft pick on Jordyn Tyson because they see him as a player who can help spark their offense as they build around Tyler Shough. Brown has spent almost all of Brian Thomas Jr.’s 1-on-1 reps in camp across from him, so he’ll likely welcome the chance to take on another rookie receiver in Tyson.
It’s also a chance for Brown to see how the work he’s done this offseason with new defensive back coach Mathieu Araujo holds up in a different setting.
Jacksonville’s preseason schedule begins with Cleveland on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. on CBS, followed by games at Denver on Sept. 20, vs. New England on Sept. 27, at Cincinnati on Oct. 4, and two London games against Philadelphia on Oct. 11 and Houston on Oct.
- The Jaguars then have a bye in Week 7 before continuing with Indianapolis, Baltimore, Tennessee, the Giants, Tennessee again, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Houston, Dallas and Washington.
All times listed are Eastern.
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