The Jacksonville Jaguars are no strangers to change, and the 2025 offseason was a testament to that with a complete overhaul in leadership. As they head into the 2026 season, the Jaguars are facing yet another wave of transformations, particularly with the departure of key players like Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd. Both were pivotal figures, but as the Jaguars continue to shape their roster, it's time to consider who might be following in their footsteps.
Ezra Cleveland's name pops up as a likely candidate. Entering a contract year, Cleveland's future with the Jaguars is uncertain, especially with the team investing a third-round pick in Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon.
Pregnon brings impressive credentials and potential to the table, suggesting he could eventually step into a significant role. For now, Cleveland remains a crucial component of the 2026 lineup, embodying the balance of nurturing young talent while relying on seasoned veterans.
In the secondary, Eric Murray stands out as a veteran leader. After a strong debut season with the Jaguars in 2025, Murray is expected to play a central role in 2026.
Head coach Liam Coen has high hopes for Murray, anticipating further growth. However, the Jaguars face a dilemma with safety Antonio Johnson, a player brimming with Pro Bowl potential.
With recent draft picks Caleb Ransaw and Jalen Huskey in the wings, the team has options for a youthful transition in the future.
Patrick Mekari finds himself in a situation similar to Cleveland's. While Mekari's presence is valuable, the emergence of second-year guard Wyatt Milum could signal a shift. Milum will need to prove his readiness during training camp, but the pieces are in place for a potential change at right guard.
Defensive tackle Arik Armstead is another critical component of the Jaguars' defense. Despite a hand injury last season, Armstead's prowess as a pass-rusher is undeniable.
As his contract nears its end, the Jaguars face a tough decision. While Ruke Orhorhoro shows promise, it's uncertain if he's ready to fill Armstead's shoes.
With Armstead turning 33, the team might consider getting younger and more cost-effective, especially with significant investments in defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
On the coaching front, the Jaguars caught a break by retaining offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. Both coordinators received multiple head coaching interviews, a testament to their impact.
Their return offers continuity, a rare commodity for the Jaguars, who enjoyed a successful 13-4 season. However, if the Jaguars continue their upward trajectory in 2026, it's likely that Udinski and Campanile will once again attract attention from other teams.
The Jaguars must capitalize on their current momentum, knowing that future success might necessitate adjustments to their coaching staff, much like the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay.
In essence, the Jaguars are at a crossroads, balancing the need to maintain their competitive edge while preparing for inevitable changes. As they navigate the 2026 season, the team's ability to adapt and evolve will be crucial in determining their success.
In Other News...
Jaguars Suddenly Have A Linebacker Battle Fans Thought Was Settled
The offseason has already nudged a few assumed depth-chart answers back into the conversation, and linebacker is suddenly one of them. For Jacksonville, the spot next to Foye Oluokun looked like it had a clear favorite heading into camp, with Ventrell Miller positioned to keep building on his role while the coaching staff continued sorting out the rest of the defense.
What makes it interesting is how often the Jaguars have talked about competition under Liam Coen, and that now appears to include the linebacker room as much as anywhere else. A young challenger has earned more chances in recent work and shown enough to keep the job from feeling locked up, which means this is shaping up as one of those camp battles that can change the tone of the entire defense before the preseason even really gets going. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars QB Room Faces A Sneaky Camp Decision Behind Trevor Lawrence
As training camp approaches, the Jaguars quarterback room looks mostly settled at the top, with Trevor Lawrence in place and Nick Mullens expected to remain the primary backup. The real intrigue is lower on the depth chart, where Jacksonville is sorting out a third quarterback spot that could carry more weight than the label suggests.
Carter Bradley enters with the sort of familiarity that usually matters in camp, especially in Liam Coens system, and that gives him a reasonable early edge. But Joey Aguilar brings enough upside to make this more than a formality, and the Jaguars will have to decide whether comfort or potential matters more when they fill out the room behind Lawrence. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Camp Could Finally Settle Their Most Frustrating Backfield Debate
Training camp is about to give the Jaguars something they have not had much clarity on in the backfield: a real chance to sort out who should lead the way. Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez and LeQuint Allen are lined up for a competition that has been waiting for the pads to come on, and the extra reps during the offseason have already helped shape the early pecking order.
Tuten has taken advantage of the opening to get a longer look, while Allen gives Jacksonville a different kind of option if the staff wants more versatility in the passing game. Even if one runner emerges as the front-runner entering the season, the more likely outcome is a shared workload that keeps all three involved, which means this may be less about finding one answer than about deciding how the Jaguars want the pieces to fit. [Read more 🡒]