Success in the NFL brings a whirlwind of changes, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are feeling the heat after a stellar 2025 season. The rise in expectations and financial pressure is palpable, and now it's up to General Manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen to keep the momentum going while juggling the complexities of the salary cap.
The Jaguars are no longer in a rebuilding phase; they're in maintenance mode. And in today's NFL, maintaining success often means making tough decisions, like letting go of productive players. It's a delicate dance between sustaining success and making strategic cuts to stay competitive.
Under Coen and Gladstone, the Jaguars soared to a 13-4 record, their best since 1999, thanks to an explosive eight-game winning streak. Trevor Lawrence had a career-best season, leading an offense that thrived with breakout stars like receiver Parker Washington.
On the defensive side, the Jaguars were a turnover machine, leading the league in rushing defense with DaVon Hamilton at the helm. Special teams also shone, highlighted by Cam Little’s record-breaking 68-yard field goal.
However, the dream season ended with a narrow 27-24 Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, a reminder of how thin the margins are in championship contention.
Looking ahead, Jacksonville faces a projected $13.5 million salary cap deficit, with nearly 40% of the defense's snaps heading into free agency. Key players like linebacker Devin Lloyd and cornerback Montaric Brown are among those potentially departing.
The Jaguars must also address a pass rush that struggled to convert pressure into sacks. Offensively, the expiring contract of Travis Etienne Jr. presents a philosophical dilemma at running back, while the offensive line and receiving corps need bolstering.
Adding to the complexity, Jacksonville lacks a first-round draft pick, limiting their ability to fill gaps inexpensively. Every dollar counts, making sentiment a luxury they can't afford.
Andrew “Dewey” Wingard embodies Jaguars culture, known for his special teams prowess and leadership. But as the secondary gets younger with Antonio Johnson and Caleb Ransaw stepping up, Wingard's role diminishes. Financially, retaining a veteran backup safety doesn't align with the team's budget constraints.
Greg Newsome II was a midseason acquisition from Cleveland, providing stability for the playoff push. But with the aggressive selection of Travis Hunter, Jacksonville is reshaping its defensive future. Retaining Newsome would require a significant financial commitment, which the Jaguars are unlikely to make given their cap situation.
The toughest decision may revolve around Travis Etienne. As one of the league's most explosive backs, his potential departure is controversial but financially prudent. The franchise tag for running backs is projected around $14.2 million, a hefty price for a team over the cap.
Internal shifts suggest Jacksonville is preparing for life without Etienne, with Bhayshul Tuten and DeeJay Dallas poised for more prominent roles. The modern NFL favors linebacker impact, pass rush, and coverage versatility over spending big on running backs. If it comes down to retaining a defensive cornerstone like Lloyd or extending Etienne, the choice becomes clear.
Jacksonville's 2025 success showed they've arrived. Now, the challenge is staying there. Sustained contention requires tough roster decisions, especially with quarterback extensions and defensive priorities looming.
Letting go of Wingard, Newsome, and Etienne could free up critical cap space and align the roster with a youth movement. It's about long-term viability over short-term sentiment.
Championship windows don't close because stars leave; they close when teams hesitate to make hard choices. For the Jaguars, the 2026 offseason is about ensuring they don't slip back, but instead, continue to rise.