JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars face a near-unanimous verdict from their own analysts heading into the 2026 NFL season: fix the running game or risk squandering the momentum from a 2025 AFC South championship.
Six of nine Jaguars media experts identified the ground game as the franchise’s most critical area for improvement, a consensus that carries statistical weight. The Jaguars ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing offense last season and 31st in down-and-distance on third down — a direct consequence of poor run production on first and second downs, according to Action Sports Jax Sports Director Brent Martineau. “If the Jags get the run game going, they have a chance to be the most dynamic they have been offensively in 25 years,” Martineau said.
Jaguars.com senior writer John Oehser pointed to the addition of veteran Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a potential solution, noting that while Rodriguez is “not as explosive as the departed Travis Etienne Jr.,” he “is consistent and maximizes carries with yards after contact.” Oehser also flagged interior pass rush as a priority, suggesting the team could move end Travon Walker inside on passing downs — something that produced positive results late last season.
Jaguars Media correspondent John Shipley framed the challenge on both sides of the ball. “If they can control the line of scrimmage on offense, that would only open things up more for Head Coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence,” Shipley said. “Win the trenches, and the Jaguars can win a lot of games.”
The stakes extend beyond a single season. Jaguars.com senior correspondent Brian Sexton noted the franchise hasn’t made the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1998-1999 — a 27-year streak. “If they can take what they learned last season but work as if they are starting over again, this team can be as good as there is in the AFC,” Sexton said.
Former Jaguars assistant coach and media analyst Mark Duffner struck a similar tone, saying the key is “to stay healthy and remain hungry” because the team has “unfinished business” and “more meat on the bone.” Radio Voice of the Jaguars Frank Frangie added that the club “must handle expectations they didn’t have to handle last season.”
Team reporter Kainani Stevens reported that Coen has already set the tone internally. “Coen has been clear with his staff and players that they are not ‘defending’ anything and they must earn everything one game at a time,” Stevens said, noting the team is only one year into its rebuild. Former Jaguars defensive end and media analyst Austen Lane echoed the offensive focus, calling for “a more consistent running game,” while jaguars.com reporter J.P. Shadrick said starting fast could be the difference after the team needed half of 2025 to absorb new schemes under Coen.
The Jaguars open the 2026 NFL season with training camp already underway in Jacksonville.