Josh Hines-Allen and the Jaguars defense are fueled by past success and eyeing a championship, ready to prove doubters wrong.
On Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars' all-time sack leader, Josh Hines-Allen, joined CBS Sports' "The Offseason Playbook," where he reflected on the team's 2025 success and talked about new expectations.
Last season, Hines-Allen recorded 49 tackles and eight sacks, passing Tony Brackens for the most sacks in franchise history.
Entering his eighth season in Jacksonville, Hines-Allen said he can tell a big difference in the culture and expectations with this group than those of previous years.
"I think the experience [of the playoffs] kind of got to us a little bit," Hines-Allen said. "But I think moving forward, just to get that little taste, you know, get that confidence up. I think going into this year, you know, walking into the building, seeing the guys, seeing their eyes, you know, they're just hungry."
Both Hines-Allen and head coach Liam Coen have frequently stressed the importance on building on last season's success.
"I think we got to come in with the expectations of, you know, this is a business at the end of the day," Hines-Allen said after the first day of Spring OTAs. "And if you come in complacent, then things are not going to end well for you."
Hines-Allen will anchor a relatively new-look Jaguars defense that lost key contributors like Devin Lloyd and Andrew Wingard, but the team captain has confidence in the incoming draft class.
"I think we got better, you know, with our draft," Hines-Allen said. "I think we added a lot of depth to our team and I think the guys that are [already] there, they're there for a reason -- to keep proving themselves. I can't wait to get on that field."
While Jacksonville has weathered some criticism of its recent draft choices, the Jaguars did address multiple holes on their defense, adding Texas A&M defensive tackle Albert Regis and Maryland safety Jalen Huskey in the third and fourth rounds.
Hines-Allen also had major praise for last year's No. 2 overall pick, Travis Hunter, calling him "so gifted."
"[Offensively], I would hate to go against him," Hines-Allen said. "As a cornerback, I've seen him make a lot of plays in practice.
"As a pass rusher, I would love for him to play cornerback all the time."
Hunter's role going forward has been a heavily discussed topic this offseason, as reports have circulated about him taking on a heavier defensive snap count.
However, Coen and general manager James Gladstone have stated Hunter will still be used in some offensive schemes.
Hines-Allen has made it clear that the Jaguars must continue to elevate this upcoming season, as the squad has the chance to make franchise history, becoming the first Jacksonville team to win back-to-back AFC South championships.
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