JACKSONVILLE — The Jaguars enter the 2026 NFL season as defending AFC South champions after a 13-4 campaign, but a panel of nine team media analysts identified the running back room and pass-rush depth as the franchise’s most pressing unknowns heading into training camp.
Four of the nine analysts named running back as their top concern following Travis Etienne’s departure, which left a hole of 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns from last season. “The group has great potential, but nobody in that room has been THE man on an NFL team,” said Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars, pointing to a projected rotation of Bhayshul Tuten as starter, Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the short-yardage specialist and LeQuint Allen Jr. as the third-down back.
Former Jaguars defensive end and media analyst Austen Lane echoed the concern. “There are plenty of unknowns in the backfield, especially following running back Travis Etienne’s departure,” Lane said, noting that Rodriguez missed the entire offseason program with an injury. Action Sports Jax Sports Director Brent Martineau added that the team must find its lead back in August. “I have no problem buying into Head Coach Liam Coen’s run game and the addition of run-game coordinator Brian Picucci, but it’s unproven right now with this stable of backs,” Martineau said.
On the defensive side, jaguars.com senior writer John Oehser identified interior pass rush as the unit’s ceiling-setter, noting that end Josh Hines-Allen played at a near-Pro Bowl level much of last season while end Travon Walker could see more snaps as an interior rusher in passing situations. “Getting better pressure — and better overall pass rush in key situations — could make it great,” Oehser wrote. Jaguars Media correspondent John Shipley raised a related point about depth behind the top duo. “The Jaguars have a top pass-rush duo with Hines-Allen and Walker, but the rest of the defensive ends on the roster are either first- or second-year players without much NFL experience,” Shipley said.
The health of left tackle Cole Van Lanen drew attention from two analysts. Former longtime NFL and Jaguars assistant coach Mark Duffner said Van Lanen’s return timeline is critical. “The Jaguars must protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence,” Duffner said. Jaguars.com senior correspondent Brian Sexton noted that Walker Little is a capable replacement but not the long-term answer. “When will Van Lanen return to the starting lineup?” Sexton asked, adding that Van Lanen won’t see anything close to live action until the regular season after signing a new contract last fall.
Team reporter Kainani Stevens offered a broader concern: whether last season’s success was “lightning in a bottle,” warning that Jacksonville won’t have the element of surprise after winning the division. The Jaguars open training camp later this month in Jacksonville, where the running back competition and Van Lanen’s availability will be among the first storylines tested.