JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars opened training camp with a welcome sight: a healthy Travis Hunter.
Coach Liam Coen saw the ball on the ground more than he would have liked Wednesday, but also noticed two-way player Hunter making sharp cuts on defense and aggressive moves at receiver.
Coen, whose first year with the Jaguars brought an AFC South title and a 13-4 season that ended with a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in a wild-card playoff game, emphasized the team's focus on consistency. "We haven't done anything to rest on our laurels here," he said.
Last year was about finding an edge and creating an edge, but now the Jaguars are attacking these edges with a relentless pursuit. "Our mindset is we got to go prove it and go earn it because consistency is the truest measure of performance," Coen added.
Changes have been relatively minor since the season ended six months ago, with running back Travis Etienne going to the New Orleans Saints and linebacker Devin Lloyd joining Carolina. The coaching staff returns, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a year behind him in Coen's scheme.
Lawrence is coming off six months of getting stronger instead of recovering from injuries after a relatively healthy 2025. Coen said Lawrence has spent time at a local high school with the receivers, but that didn't translate to the first day of camp. "I thought it was a little sloppy in terms of drops and some inaccuracy, just not throwing and probably catching a ton with each other," Coen said.
The team's second-year quarterback was pleased to see Hunter back on the field. "Just good to see him back out there and he looks good," Lawrence said. "He's flying around. Seeing him play both sides is just always pretty cool. Just excited that he's back on the field."
Hunter made a sharp cut at cornerback that nearly led to a pick on a broken route. Coen praised Hunter's confidence, saying, "I was pleased to see him go up with no fear and just go up and try to make a great play."
Running back Chris Rodriguez, one of the few offseason acquisitions, was back on the field after a surgery on his left foot from an injury the first day of voluntary workouts. Rodriguez was signed to a two-year deal to bolster the running game with the departure of Etienne.
Coen said Rodriguez's contributions would not be tangible until full contact with the bruiser of a back. "What he brings to this team, I don’t think any of us are going to see throughout the entire training camp, honestly," Coen said.
The only injury of note was to linebacker Jack Kiser, who grabbed his right knee on the fourth play and was helped off the field. Coen said Kiser would have an MRI and he was hopeful of a quick recovery. "He wasn't screaming or freaking out in pain," Coen said.
The Jaguars also hosted receiver Zay Jones ahead of training camp. Jones, a second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2016, spent two years with the Jaguars before they released him in April 2024. He played only 19 games with the Arizona Cardinals the last two years because of injuries.
Coen said, "We'll see how things progress, but it was really good to get to meet him." The Jaguars will continue to work on their consistency and prove their mettle in the upcoming season.
Source: Yahoo Sports