The Jacksonville Jaguars emphasized competition across the offensive line last year. Throughout the offseason, they made their hog mollies rotate and lined them up at different spots. The approach paid off as injuries struck the team. Cole Van Valen, in particular, turned out to be a stud.
Van Lanen played multiple spots throughout the year but ended up settling at left tackle. He performed so well that the Jags rewarded him with a $51 million extension. Now, the former Wisconsin Badger is poised to be Trevor Lawrence's blindside protector for the foreseeable future.
This, in turn, has cast doubt on Walker Little's future with the team. But based on comments general manager James Gladstone recently made, he isn't going anywhere in 2026.
The Jaguars may be willing to retain Walker Little
James Gladstone, along with head coach Liam Coen, held an end-of-the-season press conference and said that he expects all the offensive linemen from last year to return in 2026, emphasizing the need for continuity up front.
"Right now, we are in a position where everybody that played for us on the offensive line this season is coming back next season, and that was a big part," Gladsatone told reporters (28:05 mark). "The continuity at that position group in particular is one that makes more sense than any other. It's a necessity. It's never one individual that that tilts the scale is there, as much as it is just the collective effort as a whole. And being able to insert guys throughout the course of a season and not feel some significant drop off in the collective output is a really important piece."
Gladstone continued, "In Los Angeles, that was, if there was ever a thing offensively that could stand in our way or be a debilitator, it was when we had injuries at offensive line, and to ensure that the quality of depth existed, there is something that we prioritize, that we're always going to make sure we protect so that knowing the natural course of a season in particular across the offensive line, which tends to get more injuries than most other positions, has got to be something that we ensure we guard against."
In free agency, the Jaguars signed center Robert Hainsey, offensive guard Patrick Mekari, offensive tackle Fred Johnson, and offensive lineman Chuma Edoga last season. Then, they used a pair of draft picks on Wyatt Milum (Round 3) and Jonah Monehim.
Fred Johnson was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles just before the regular season started, but every other offensive lineman on the roster remains under contract through 2027. That said, it may not be realistic to bring all of them.
Related: 5 players who definitely won't return to Jacksonville in 2026
The Jaguars may trade Walker Little even if they want to keep him
Little Walker Little has been the subject of trade speculation not only because he was benched in favor of Cole Van Lanen but also because dealing him to another team would free up a bit over $7 million in space. The Jags are currently $17 million over the cap, so those savings would be huge.
A second-round pick in 2021, Little signed a three-year, $40.5 million extension in 2024 after joining the starting lineup full-time. He was the Week 1 starter last season but struggled. This paved the way for Van Lanen to take over at left tackle.
Of course, Jacksonville would need depth at offensive tackle if Little is traded, but that's what the draft is for. It makes more sense to add a young offensive tackle than keep one that underachived.
Of course, James Gladstone may mean it when he says the Jaguars want to keep all their offensive linemen from last year. But when you take into account the team's financial situation, trading Walker Little becomes a realistic possibility.