ClutchPoints
The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering a new era—again. After a frustrating stretch marked by regression on both sides of the ball, ownership finally hit the soft reset button. With a new general manager in James Gladstone and a new head coach in Liam Coen, Jacksonville is betting on bold leadership to revive a roster that has underachieved despite having a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. The early signs point to a front office and coaching staff unafraid to be aggressive. If the Jaguars truly want to accelerate their rebuild and remain competitive in a stacked AFC South, they need to double down on that approach with a couple more high-upside roster upgrades.
The Jaguars’ 2025 offseason is tough to fully evaluate because we simply don’t know what Gladstone and Coen will ultimately be in their roles. However, it was time for a change, and both leaders are making gutsy calls. Jacksonville made waves by moving up in the draft to land elite two-way talent Travis Hunter. He is a dynamic hybrid cornerback and wide receiver who could transform the team’s versatility. It was a swing-for-the-fences move that signals a willingness to take calculated risks in order to raise the team’s ceiling.
They’ve also begun trimming away some of the underwhelming acquisitions from the previous regime. The most surprising cut came when the team released tight end Evan Engram. His $19.48 million cap hit was deemed too high under the new management. Yes, the move saved the Jaguars close to $6 million in cap space. That said, it left a notable void on offense.
To patch other holes, Jacksonville brought in veterans Eric Murray and Caleb Ransaw to help shore up a safety group that was the NFL’s worst in 2024. Those additions won’t singlehandedly fix the secondary, but they’re a step in the right direction.
Now, with some flexibility in cap space and a clear willingness to be active, the Jaguars should explore the trade market. Two names that stand out as ideal fits—both from a roster need and value standpoint—are cornerback Jaire Alexander and tight end Michael Mayer.
There’s no sugarcoating it: acquiring Jaire Alexander carries some risk. Recall that he was one of the most respected cornerbacks in the league just a couple of seasons ago. However, injuries and inconsistency have raised questions about whether he can return to his All-Pro form. Still, the Jaguars are in a spot where risks might be necessary. This is especially true with the Houston Texans quickly pulling away in the division arms race.
Alexander’s 2024 season was his worst as a pro. As such, Green Bay might be open to a deal if the right offer comes through. This is where the Jaguars should pounce. At his best, Alexander is a lockdown corner capable of shadowing top receivers and playing at an elite level in both man and zone coverage. Pairing him with Tyson Campbell could give Jacksonville one...
