With roster continuity fueling a high-intensity offseason, Jacksonville’s seasoned leaders are hardwiring Liam Coen’s elite expectations into a versatile rookie class to sustain their late-season winning momentum.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookies joined the rest of the roster after rookie minicamp this past weekend, and the veterans brought them up to speed on the team’s standards and expectations.
Jacksonville is entering Year 2 under coach Liam Coen, and he is running a tight ship, getting a head start on expectations for every player on the roster. A significant factor in Coen’s approach is the team bringing back most of its talent.
It was a dry free agency for the Jaguars, signing former Washington Commanders running back Chris Washington in March and recently signing Ameer Abdullah. Little roster turnover has strengthened continuity and has made it easier to get the rookies on track compared to Coen’s rookie year as head coach.
“That was exactly what I mentioned to the vets on Thursday,” Coen told reporters on Monday. “When these guys get in here on Monday and get integrated with you all, I need you all to set the standard and show these guys what our standards are.”
Although Coen asked his veterans to set the standards for the rookies, Jacksonville’s 100th pick, Jalen Huskey, said he’s felt the standards and expectations every second he's at the facility.
“It’s not a facade or whatever, it’s real,” Huskey told First Coast News’ Rachel Williams last Saturday. “It’s in the meetings, it’s when you see them (the coaches), it’s out here on the field 100%, and we’re going to keep that going the entire year.”
Coen said this year’s rookie class has impressed, including the undrafted free agents. He’s taking the time to bond with Emmanuel Pregnon and learn what makes him tick.
UDFA quarterback Joey Aguilar has quickly familiarized himself with the playbook over the weekend and did a good job throwing to receivers despite the fast turnaround.
Coen complimented the versatility of Huskey and tight ends Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol. The Jaguars are analyzing new trends across the NFL and adapting to the current landscape by adding versatile players to their roster.
Jacksonville aims to improve on its 13-4 season, and retaining the same talent has enabled the team to attack the offseason with more attention to detail.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is throwing to the same receiver group, and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is coaching the same players, barring All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd, who signed with the Carolina Panthers.
Coen said the team should be closer to playing how they did at the end of the season. Jacksonville ended the year on an eight-game winning streak and transformed into one of the best offenses during that stretch.
“That’s the expectation and standard,” Coen said. “When they come out on the grass, you saw it. You felt it. The routes in the air were more crisp, clean. The things we call quote unquote “easy,” throwing routes on air, operating a can, an Oscar, an alert, things like that on air or against no defense was very seamless.”
Entering Year 2 with Coen at the helm, Jacksonville is off to a faster start in the offseason after retaining most of its key players, and the returners are helping the rookies get on the same page as OTAs approach soon.
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