Player perception shifts as Jacksonville's rising momentum and bold GM moves attract top talent, signaling a powerful new era for the Jaguars.
With the Jacksonville Jaguars coming off their most successful season since appearing in the AFC Championship in 2017, winning 13 games, an AFC South title and returning to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons
On Friday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz joined Jax Sports Radio to talk about the franchise's growth and increasing appeal for free agents.
"The perception is [Jacksonville] is a great spot to go in free agency," Schultz said. "Jacksonville, you could argue is as hot a team, an organization as there is in football.
"The synergy within the organization, all the way from the top down, has never been better."
Schultz credited Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and executive Tony Boselli for the energy they have brought to the team. He also praised Coen for his ability to maximize the potential of Trevor Lawrence, who had one of his best seasons as a pro.
"Liam Coen, coming over from Tampa Bay. The impact he had on Baker Mayfield was enormous," Schultz said. "And then you think about the back half of last season with Trevor Lawrence, I just can't think of a more-improved player."
Lawrence led the Jaguars to an 8-0 finish to close out the season, throwing for 15 touchdowns and just one interception in the final six games.
Overall, Lawrence threw for 4,007 yards, while setting the single-season franchise record for touchdowns with 38.
The former No. 1 overall pick also showed improved ability as a runner, rushing for a career-high 359 yards and shattering his previous rushing touchdown mark of five with nine last season.
Outside of Coen and Lawrence, Schultz praised General Manager James Gladstone for proving himself as the right hire.
"I don't think [Gladstone] was on the bingo card for most people.." Schultz said. "His ability as a scout, I think is really strong. I also think, he just gets it. In the modern day and age, building this type of team, you have to take risks."
Schultz talked about No. 2 pick Travis Hunter missing the back-half of last season, but praised Gladstone and Jacksonville decision makers for mortgaging additional draft compensation to select the reigning Heisman winner.
"That's the type of move that you only make, especially as a first-year GM at his age -- the youngest GM in football, if you have stones and conviction," Schultz said. "That's the type of GM that Jacksonville has not had."
Gladstone also made headlines throughout the offseason for his unique outlook on retaining top-end talent. Following the departures of both Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd, Gladstone talked about the additional draft compensation the team would acquire following these losses.
"We’re at a stage now where a higher volume of draft capital is what we’re hunting, and those compensatory picks," Gladstone said in mid-March. “High-priced free agents of ours ended up signing elsewhere, well-deserved contracts. "They did their part to put themselves in really sound positions to earn that. Excited for all those guys. In return, by not signing any outside free agents, we recoup 2027 draft capital."
Gladstone and Coen have brought new life to a Jaguars team that was coasting in neutral prior to their hirings. Entering the 2026 season, Jacksonville is poised for another strong showing, adding a healthy Hunter back to the mix.
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