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Jaguars Get Another “F” Grade for Their Offseason
Jaguars Get Another “F” Grade for Their Offseason
The hits keep on coming for the Jacksonville Jaguars' offseason.
After a terrific season that saw the Jaguars finish 13-4, win the AFC South, and host a playoff game, Jacksonville has been mostly overlooked as a true contender in 2026.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne of the main culprits behind Jacksonville's dismissal is its perceived below-average offseason. Many national pundits believe that, while other AFC teams improved, the Jaguars did not.
In fact, most believe they got worse.
Though a recent ESPN piece gave the Jaguars a solid "B" grade for their offseason, that has proven to be an exception and not the norm.
Matt Okada of NFL.com was not nearly as kind. Okada didn't think much of what Jacksonville accomplished (or didn't accomplish) over the last few months, giving the Jaguars an "F" for their offseason.
Okada's analysis of the Jaguars' offseason was not kind. He mentioned the notable moves the team made and believes it got worse, citing the departures of running back Travis Etienne Jr. and linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere is what he had to say:
Allowing RB Travis Etienne, LB Devin Lloyd to hit free agency
Extending DE Travon Walker, TE Brenton Strange
"No offense to James Gladstone and Co., but this offseason hasn't been great. The Jaguars lost multiple key starters in free agency and added very little to compensate. Their biggest moves were pure maintenance: extending former No. 1 pick Walker after a 3.5-sack season; re-upping Strange, who put up career highs of 46 catches, 540 receiving yards and three TDs in 12 games in 2025; and re-signing Brown.
"Then came the draft. Jacksonville’s class took home Gennaro Filice’s second-lowest-overall grade and was frequently criticized for drastic reaches and a failure to address primary needs -- like linebacker -- until the latter rounds. After the last few months, the Jags are under serious pressure when it comes to their division title defense, with other AFC South teams making strides this offseason."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCriticisms Are Largely Misplaced
Okada is regurgitating the same criticisms the Jaguars have heard for months. While some of the criticisms are fair, they are largely misplaced.
For starters, the naysayers are refusing to acknowledge that this was a 13-4 team last season. And they accomplished that record despite subpar seasons from Walker and Brian Thomas Jr. and a season-ending injury to rookie sensation Travis Hunter after only seven games.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was, yet again, forced to learn a new offense. As he grew more comfortable as the season progressed, Lawrence started playing like one of the best QBs in the league.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt is incredibly reasonable for Jacksonville to assume it will benefit from internal improvements. Full, healthy seasons from Hunter and Walker should do wonders for the team in 2026. BTJ has been looking like his old self in OTAs and minicamp.
Lawrence has been able to focus on mastering the offense this offseason, instead of learning it.
The Jaguars also managed to return both of their coordinators, despite them both interviewing for multiple head coaching positions. That alone should be worth a grade (or two) bump.
When it comes to losing Etienne and Lloyd, it is impossible to deny they were two of the Jaguars' most important players last year. However, Lloyd played so much better in 2025 than in previous seasons that a regression may happen in 2026. As for Etienne, since when do teams get criticized for not paying a running back a big-money second contract?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo matter what is said about its offseason decisions, Jacksonville is still a very good team.
Expect the criticisms to continue until the actual games begin. Then, and only then, will the Jaguars get a chance to prove their doubters wrong.
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Re-signing CB Montaric Brown