By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
These are the times..the good times.. for the Jaguars.
The Jags’ brass has ushered in a new era of general manager James Gladstone, head coach Liam Coen, and executive VP Tony Boselli.
They shocked the football world on draft night with a blockbuster move to trade up to the second overall spot to draft versatile Travis Hunter, who legitimately can play both sides of the ball.
Overall, their draft initially looks good, and the club inked former Dolphins’ edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah and former Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence appears to be fully recovered from his rash of injuries, and could have the league’s most dynamic receiving duos in Hunter and second-year man Brian Thomas Jr. Lawrence also will need to answer his critics, as he arguably hasn’t lived up to his billing as a generational player.
It’s an upbeat mood with plenty of optimism in the air.
That brings us to the Jags’ 2025 schedule, an item that has haunted the past few seasons.
At first glance, it looks like a potential peak and valley schedule for the Jags.
They’ll open at home against Carolina Sept. 7. The Panthers split their final six games after they won three of their first 11. Quarterback Bryce Young apparently has come his own.
This could be a competitive game, but the Jags need to win it in front of a likely energized crowd.
The following week, the Jags will travel to Cincinnati, which will be an early test.
From there, the Jags will return home to meet the Texans, who have been a severe thorn in their side, surprisingly at home where they have dropped seven straight in front of the Jacksonville faithful. This is a major hurdle to overcome.
September ends with a trip to San Francisco, one that could rise or sink the first month.
In October, the Jags begin the month with a Monday Night clash with the Chiefs, which will be a test of mettle. That will follow with a home game against the Seahawks, a trip to London to meet the Rams, and an early bye week.
The Jags will hit the road in November for three of the four weeks with trips to Las Vegas (Nov. 2), Arizona (Nov. 23), and Tennessee (Nov. 30), along with a date against Los Angeles (Chargers, Nov. 16).
Over the final five weeks, the Jags will have a home (Dec. 7) and away (Dec. 28) with the Colts, host the Jets (Dec.14), travel to the Browns (Dec. 21), and finish at home against the Titans (Jan. 4).
For me, It’s too early to make predictions, even though plenty of fellow writers already have made them. It also is a new regime, and the mandatory min-camp next month may shed some light into the picture.
Yet, barring any major injuries, the Jags should be better than their 4-13 record last season.
There are plenty of early signs of some future good times.
