Moeller: What Will Jaguars Do To Maintain Their Elite Status?

 The shock is over, and the proverbial smoke has cleared.

The Jaguars can start to look ahead t0 2026. 

Liam Coen’s first year at the helm gave the Jacksonville faithful the first few pages of a new chapter in franchise history in which they can now be considered as perennial AFC South title contenders.

Trevor Lawrence may have finally unlocked the door to his long-awaited generational talent and also being among the league quarterback elite class. Based on his playoff exit against Buffalo, we’ll wait and see. 

Anthony Campanile regenerated the much-maligned defense -notably the secondary - and quickly gained respect as a defensive coordinator to the point of getting interviews for head coaching jobs.

Low-profile offensive coordinator Grant Udinski is on the Browns’ list of potential head coaching candidates, and he also has been mentioned as the Eagles’ possible new OC.

Cam Little has become an instant thought as a three-point option from more than 60 yards away. 

During this offseason among recent others, there are plenty of positives to build upon a 13-4 season.

But with success comes the pressure to continue to succeed. Success breeds success, right?

So, the Jags have plenty of pieces in place for next season, and they’ll have to find some supplemental ones to replace some. 

That’s the way the NFL works these days. These are the days when GM James Gladstone has to do his homework.

The Jags have approximately $22 million to spend in the offseason and their free agent list is the following: safety Andrew Wingard, cornerback Montaric Brown, cornerback Greg Newsome, wide receiver Dyami Brown, running back Travis Etienne, linebacker Devin Lloyd, tight end Quintin Morris, defensive end Dawuane Smoot, linebacker Dennis Gardeck, defensive tackle Austin Johnson, wide receiver Tim Patrick, and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.

From the above-mentioned bunch, Lloyd and Etienne would loom as the early priorities. Yet, Wingard, Brown, Newsome, Smoot, and Patrcik are bound to get a second look. 

Lloyd has a breakout season, and he should receive a big payday. Etienne could be expendable depending on the asking price, and if the Jags feel comfortable handing the running game to Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. 

Jacksonville does have the luxury of Travis Hunter returning after a rising rookie season was cut short after seven games. He did begin to live up to his Heisman Trophy and number two overall pick status with 28 catches and 15 tackles. 

Hunter likely will be in the secondary, but the Jags may give some consideration to having him spend more time in the backfield on sweeps and catches especially if Etienne leaves for free agency. 

When you add up the positives, there are plenty. Still, the Jags will surely be creative in the offseason.

Their stunning playoff exit has now left the fanbase wanting for more.

For the first time since the Tom Coughlin days, the  Jags are viewed as a viable contender.

When the free agency period begins March 11, it will be time to see what the Jaguars will begin to do for an encore.