Jaguars observations from Liam Coen’s NFL Homeowners’ Assembly interviews

With the primary three weeks of the 2025 NFL Free Agent interval within the books, Jacksonville Jaguars followers got prolonged entry to move coach Liam Coen on Monday. Coen started the day together with his usually scheduled media availability with the assembled media from Palm Seaside, FL, the place the annual three-day NFL Homeowners Assembly is being held. He would contact on every part Jaguars-related, from the roster make-up, the incoming free agent class, the upcoming NFL Draft, and extra. Basic Supervisor James Gladstone beforehand gave his preliminary ideas on the early free agent additions for this incoming class two weeks in the past.

Homeowners Assembly Presser:

Coen later caught up with Brent Martineau with Motion Sports activities Jax to debate the Jaguars’ offseason, with the interview happening on the 16:15 to 24:30 mark under, for these .

Motion Sports activities Jax Interview:

Total, Coen supplied slightly below 40 complete minutes of Jaguars front-office perception for followers and media to dig into. You probably have the time all through this week, it’s completely a worthwhile hear for the Duval Religious.

Under, we dig into a few of the extra notable feedback and takeaways from Coen’s mixed media availabilities.

System familiarity ought to assist early offensive set up

Early inside his media availability Coen introduced up an attention-grabbing level in reference to the Jaguars having a number of offensive linemen who will kick off the offseason with familiarity together with his offensive system. Each incoming beginning Middle Robert Hainsey, who spent 2024 beneath Coen with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and backup Middle Luke Fortner, who was with Liam on the College of Kentucky have expertise together with his system language, scheme, and such. As Coen outlined,

“Hainsey’s been within the system, so now you’ve got two O-linemen which have been in your system or some model of it with [OL] Luke Fortner and now Hainsey. That’ll assist unfold out to lots of our gamers. They’ll be capable of perceive system a little bit bit faster, and coaches it’s going to assist in so many various methods.”

He later reiterated how the identical system familiarity studying curve additionally utilized to his teaching workers:

“It’s on the teaching workers, too. That’s the attractive half. We’ve been in a position to get onboarded a lot faster simply because, man, have a look at the offensive workers. They’ve nearly all been in a model of this method. As a lot as being a head coach for the primary time has been wonderful, I haven’t been in a position to do as a lot soccer as I’m used to. So to listen to the conversations which are occurring within the constructing, to have the ability to go in there and listen to the dialogue and the shows, it’s fairly cool as a result of I’m conversant in that circulation and so many guys simply getting protections onboarded. All three of the quarterback, OL, and working again coaches have all been on this safety system—take into consideration how a lot faster that’s to have the ability to onboard.”

Free company stabilized the secondary

Coen additionally talk about their view of how the 2 incoming free agent additions, cornerback Jourdan Lewis and security Eric Murray helps the workforce to have a much less unstable product on the back-end.

“On the defensive aspect, you actually have a look at [CB] Jourdan Lewis to have the ability to deliver one other veteran defensive again in there to assist settle issues down within the again finish, growing competitors with [S] Eric Murray. I believe we’ve achieved a pleasant job with having the ability to get these gamers that’ll assist settle issues in and be capable of create that balanced soccer circulation that we’re searching for.”

He later circled again, discussing Lewis:

“Jourdan Lewis, man, he broke my coronary heart final 12 months. We’re taking place to win and take the lead in opposition to Dallas final 12 months, we throw a submit to [Buccaneers WR] Jalen McMillan. It appears like we’ve bought it, we’re going to take the lead or at the very least tie at that time. J-Mac [WR Jalen McMillan] has it, Jourdan takes it out on the final minute, and it finally ends up being an interception for a touchback. You’re similar to, man, that’s who he’s. That’s the way in which he competes. It’s to and thru the whistle. These guys that do it like that at a excessive degree and are in a position to talk as effectively at a excessive degree, these are the blokes that we’re attempting to herald. He’s utterly what we’re searching for and actually excited to have him.”

“Intangibly wealthy” gamers love the sport

This offseason, throughout the fanbase a lot adieu has been made about whether or not or not sure draft prospects have been “intangibly wealthy” – a buzzword for Coen and James Gladstones’ Jaguars. When requested about his draft philosophy, Coen was in a position so as to add a little bit context to higher outline what they might be looking for in these gamers:

“Yeah, I believe, we’ve talked about in tangibly wealthy—actually good soccer gamers are what we’re looking for. I imply, that’s guys that actually love and dwell taking part in soccer to that extent. We would like them to be each mentally and bodily robust. These are issues which are going to be form of non-negotiable for us when it comes right down to it. The remainder, man, quick, robust, lengthy, like, we’re not even attempting to make use of these adjectives or these phrases on this complete deal. We’re actually simply attempting to say, like, do we would like them or not? Like, do we would like the participant or not? Can we need to coach this participant or not? Attempt to hold it there after which be capable of get into it. So mentally and bodily robust guys that like to play that finally, man, they’re simply loving to compete, coming from perhaps some good packages which have received, that know find out how to do issues, then do issues proper.”

Most lately, this dialog has come up surrounding the prospect of the Jaguars drafting Arizona receiver Tet McMillian at choose quantity 5, following his interview feedback the place McMillan claimed that he “doesn’t watch soccer” and isn’t a fan of watching movie, both. He later adopted up stating, “I don’t ever want to look at it on my own as a result of we go over it as a receiver group.” Given Coen’s further context of what it means to be “intangibly wealthy”, it might appear that McMillian may probably be somebody who will get pushed barely down the draft board by Jacksonville.

Travon Walker negotiations have begun

Coen additionally confirmed that third-year defensive finish Travon Walker has begun talks with the workforce in reference to a possible extension this offseason, stating “we’re having open conversations, and on the finish of the day, we’ll proceed to have these. James and Tony and I’ll have these conversations as we go, for positive.” The workforce has till Might fifth to resolve whether or not or to not choose up Walker’s fifth-year choice. Nevertheless, his choice will greater than seemingly be picked up, with any settlement to be reached at a later date (this summer time or all through the subsequent 12 months).

It begins and ends with the traces of scrimmage

Coen raved concerning the competitors that has been introduced in for the offensive line all through his a number of pressers. In complete, a lot of the dialog started and ended with the offensive and defensive traces, with Coen reiterating Gladstones’ prior feedback that extra line of defense competitors can be added, both by way of the draft or free company.

“Yeah, I believe finally, you’re trying so as to add some competitors in there. We’ve bought some actually good gamers down there. I believe we’ve bought three first-rounders on our line of defense at the moment. Three guys which are going to have some good years, hopefully. They’re hoping to raise that room. We’ll proceed to judge it, however completely, you’re trying so as to add any individual to the D-line nonetheless that factor performs out, inside or exterior.”

Dyami Brown signing helps Brian Thomas Jr (Motion Sports activities Jax)

All through the offseason, Coen has constantly acknowledged, in numerous ways in which the Jacksonville passing sport will run by way of BTJ. At present, he supplied a further context as to how the Dyami Brown signing additional helps Thomas Jr and the Jaguars offense shifting ahead.

“I believe it is simply one other ball in hand athlete who can even take the highest off the protection, proper? We won’t have it in order that BT is at all times working vertical down the sector or we’re not going to have the ability to goal him fairly as a lot, proper? You begin to get additional and additional down the sector, generally that share goes decrease and decrease. So, okay, we added a chunk that helps get any individual else down the sector the place BT does not must be that. Whereas additionally, he does one thing that I can not coach. He makes individuals miss in area, proper? On the finish of the day, we are able to get individuals open. We will design and scheme issues. We will coach open area working and sideline working, nevertheless it’s usually a trait they’ve that they’ll exit and do this I’ve nothing to do with.”

With the expectation that Thomas Jr will spend extra time within the slot than the 2024 season, a vertically explosive receiver comparable to Dyami Brown turned a necessity for the 2025 Jaguars.

Lawrence working arduous and needs to be coached arduous

Coach Coen then touched on his relationship with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the way he can construct with him within the early levels.

“We’ve had some actually good conversations. I haven’t been in a position to work with him fairly but, however we’ve gone out to dinner a number of occasions, and I noticed the imaginative and prescient. Talked to a man that I do know proper off the bat is bodily and mentally robust. I imagine that about him. That’s why I’m excited to work with him about it. He’s open, he simply desires to play on the highest degree he can. He desires to just accept as a lot teaching, he desires to be coached arduous. He desires to do effectively. These are the good conversations, that he’s open, he desires to work, and he’s been prepared to work. Actually enthusiastic about these going ahead.”

Moreover, Coen touched on Lawrence’s offseason rehabilitation from his December seventeenth non-throwing, left shoulder AC joint surgical procedure, stating that he has been “throwing a little bit bit” and “will be capable of throw a bit extra within the spring.”

“He’s hungry, although. I might say that for positive. He’s placing in time proper now on his personal with none form of—he’s doing it on his personal perhaps twice a day proper now, doing stuff that’ll assist him get higher. I believe the followers ought to know that’s this man’s work ethic. That’s the way in which he does issues.”

Brenton Unusual season incoming?

Whereas many within the nationwide media have questioned the organizations’ alternative to maneuver on from Professional Bowl tight finish Evan Engram, Coen each mentioned the choice to maneuver on whereas additionally gushing when discussing the total scope of presumptive beginning tight finish Brenton Unusual’s sport, together with others.

“It’s at all times arduous letting go of fine soccer gamers. I’ve a ton of respect for each of these guys. They’ve achieved some actually good issues right here. These weren’t simple selections. In the end, you hate to let go of fine soccer gamers, however manufacturing, proper? These guys did have quantity of targets, receptions, some crucial performs in several moments of various years. So, there’s some chemistry, some camaraderie there I’m positive that we’ve got to proceed to work on, however I believe you noticed what BT and Trevor have been in a position to do final 12 months, after which clearly with a few of the guys like [WR] Parker Washington had an amazing connection, and also you begin to see a few of these guys evolve. We’re like, okay, this enables us to do some various things inside our roster construction and really feel assured the place it’s going shifting ahead.”

He continued, discussing Unusual:

“Brenton performs the sport the best approach. I’ll say that for positive. I like the way in which he competes by way of the whistle. He does it by way of the whistle, performs with an edge, he’s bought some twitch, he’s robust, he’ll get his palms on you within the blocking. I actually recognize it. He’ll elevate simply by alone getting extra reps, and getting him on the sector is an effective factor for us. You may inform he’s hungry, desires to proceed to get higher, and he confirmed some very nice issues final 12 months, particularly after the catch. Performing some good issues of breaking tackles and getting additional yards.”

Travis Hunter: CB1, WR1, or two approach participant? (Motion Sports activities Jax)

When requested concerning the potential high select of Colorado College, Coen appeared to point that, ought to Hunter land in Jacksonville, his workers can be fluid and adaptable in confirming which function he would play.

“I believe it’s a must to be fluid as a corporation with the signing of a Travis Hunter, proper? Due to his variety, what he can do, the quantity of snaps he performs, he will play each side of the ball and that needs to be an organizational buy-in from the coaches, the power workers, the athletic coaching, sports activities efficiency. All people needs to be concerned in addition to the coaches, proper, and having endurance with either side of ball and since you actually do not need to, you realize, form of put him in a field. You actually simply need to, hey, what does he are available, do the very best, you are going to have the ability to let him do each. So you are going to discover out what he is greatest at after which, hey, let’s mildew issues to that and be fluid for these conversations.”

A day within the lifetime of a brand new head coach

Coen additionally took a second to stipulate what a standard day appears like for the assembled media and the way totally different that is from being a coordinator.

“As an OC, you’re managing, okay, 10 coaches, gamers, a little bit little bit of staffing, however that’s principally about it. Now, there are different components to it, and it retains including up, proper, with protection, particular groups. A bit little bit of the conditions exterior, however that’s the attractive approach of how we structured this with myself, James, [Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Tony Boselli. I’m in a position to actually deal with the workers. Like, that’s it. Hold the primary factor the primary factor. I’m a soccer coach, James does personnel, Tony is ready to assist with a lot of the assist workers and communication. So yeah, the time is doubled. I haven’t achieved lots of ball, nevertheless it’s been actually cool. I believe with the gamers coming in quickly, to have the ability to perform a little bit extra. However the regular day proper now, begins with about 6 a.m., they’ve a schedule for me day-after-day after which I am going in with James for the remainder of the day.”

Offseason program kicks off in April

Coach Coen mentioned his pleasure with the Jaguars’ offseason exercise program starting subsequent week, because the workforce “will get the blokes within the constructing.”

• April 7: Groups with a brand new head coach, comparable to Jacksonville are in a position to start offseason exercise packages
• April 24-26: 2025 NFL Draft in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin
• Might 1: Deadline to train fifth-year choice for 2022 first-round draft picks
• Might 2-5 or Might 9-12: Rookie minicamp
• Late July: Coaching camp begins (actual dates TBD)

You should definitely keep updated on all the groups’ free company signings and rumors right here. Our NFL Draft prospect curiosity tracker may be positioned right here.

What have been your largest takeaways from Coach Coen’s interviews, Duval?