Jacksonville clears the air on their dual-threat star, doubling down on a two-way strategy that maximizes Hunter's rare playmaking ability as both a receiver and defensive back.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have remained firm in former Heisman winner Travis Hunter's role going into his second season, despite mixed reports from analysts and NFL media.
On Wednesday, both General Manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen confirmed that Hunter will continue to play both ways.
"The plan has not changed at all. He’s going to play both sides of the football just as we drafted him to do…" Coen said. "But the plan to play him on both sides of the ball as much as possible has absolutely stayed the same."
The first reports regarding Hunter's role potentially changing surfaced in early April with NFL Network's Ian Rapoport claiming he would be limited in his appearances on offense, transitioning to a full-time defensive back.
In January, Gladstone hinted that the defensive backfield is a group that could use Hunter's playmaking ability.
"We still expect him to play on both sides of the ball," Gladstone said in January. "Corner is a position that we have a few guys who are on expiring contracts. By default, you can expect there to be a higher emphasis on (Hunter's) placement."
However, Hunter is too special of a talent to be limited to one side of the ball, as Gladstone articulated on the Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday.
Gladstone says that Hunter's timing for his injury was unfortunate, as he was just hitting his stride in the London game against the Los Angeles Rams.
"Being able to breach the 100-yard mark from a receiving standpoint, get int he end zone," Gladstone said. "At the same time, he turns over to the defensive side of the ball and gets a PBU on a really critical down against Davante Adams in coverage. So, being able to build off where we were at that point and time and use that momentum to carry into this next season is an exciting piece for us."
Prior to being sidelined last season, Hunter recorded 298 receiving yards and one touchdown on 28 receptions along with 15 tackles and three passes defensed.
But, this Rams game seemed like a turning point in Hunter's trajectory, as he showed the promising two-way ability that had him so highly touted coming into the draft.
Gladstone said that Hunter is "absolutely not" done playing both ways, but expects to see an "uptick" in his snaps at corner.
For Hunter, playing both ways has always been important to him, as he said he would rather quit football than have to choose just one position.
Of course, injuries will play a factor in Hunter's ability to play maximum snaps on both sides, but Coen and Gladstone's comments are encouraging.
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