After winning the AFC South title in 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the favorite to repeat as division champions next season, and understandably so. Trevor Lawrence played like a top-10 quarterback to end the year, and he should be able to take the next step under head coach Liam Coen.
Speaking of Coen, he won't let his team rest on its laurels and will find a way to motivate his players. On top of that, the team's brass did a good job of fortifying nearly every position group in the NFL Draft. Granted, linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne left in free agency, but Ventrell Miller and Bhayshul Tuten are ready to step into their respective places.
Having said that, seizing the AFC South for the second year in a row won't be a walk in the park, and an NFL writer is urging the Jags not to take a division rival lightly.
Cam Ward and the Titans could give the Jaguars trouble in the AFC South race
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report drew up a list of the biggest X-Factors that could impact each NFL division race. For the AFC South, he chose Brian Daboll's impact on Cam Ward, pointing out that head coach Robert Saleh brougth in the right offensive coordinator to mentor the sophomore quarterback.
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh selected the right play-caller to work with second-year quarterback Cam Ward. Given Brian Daboll's history, he should be able to help the Titans' signal-caller make significant strides this year.
"As an offensive coordinator and play-calling head coach, Daboll helped develop Josh Allen into a Pro Bowler and optimised Daniel Jones' skill set. "Moton wrote. "Under his tutelage, Jaxson Dart provided a spark to the Big Blue's offense in the first half of the previous season."
Moton also points out that Ward will have a better supporting cast, highlighting the arrival of Wan'Dale Robinson and Carell Tate. Later, he says that Tennessee could make noise in what could otherwise be a wide-open AFC South.
"In 2025, the Titans finished at the bottom of the division. This year, with improved quarterback play, they can surpass the Indianapolis Colts, whose signal-caller, Jones, is on the mend from a torn ACL. Tennessee could also challenge the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, who have talented but inconsistent signal-callers," Moton wrote."
Tate and Robinson give Ward a pair of new targets. And with Calvin Ridley also in the mix, he now has a well-rounded arsenal. On the other hand, the Tennessee defense should be much better under Saleh.
Already, the Titans had several intriguing pieces on defense, but that didn't stop them from adding reinforcements in the offseason. To bolster their defensive line, they signed John Franklin-Myers and later drafted Keldrick Faulk. They'll join a group that already includes Jeffery Simmons and Jermaine Johnson. Saleh should be able to get the most out of all four.
This doesn't mean that the Titans are suddenly a powerhouse, but they certainly made enough moves in the offseason to leave the bottom of the cellar and give trouble to the rest of the offseason.
Why the Jaguars need can't afford to take the Titans lightly
The Jaguars have enough talent on both sides of the ball to repel Tennessee, and virtually any team on their schedule. But that doesn't mean they'll win the division without a hitch. Leaving aside that the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts remain a threat, the Jags are counting on several players to take a step next season, and if they don't, they could be in trouble.
Specifically, Jacksonville needs Albert Regis and Ruke Orhorhoro to make an impact at defensive tackle. Similarly, the team needs to round out the rotation behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen: Will Danny Striggow make the leap in Year 2? If not, rookies Wesley Williams or Zach Durfee had better stand out.
The good news is that even after losing Devin Lloyd and Travis Etienne, the Jaguars are stacked at several position groups. Their wide receiver corps is among the deepest in the NFL, and the same is true for their safety group. If the running game can improve, and Trevor Lawrence builds off his impressive 2025, it will be challenging to dethrone the Jaguars.
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