Well, folks, the weekend has come. Once again, the Jacksonville Jaguars must defeat That Team Up North (no, the other one) to secure an AFC South Championship and the right to host a playoff game in Duval County.
A multitude of players, coaches, and front office personnel helped the team get to this point, but Anthony Campanile, Jacksonville's defensive coordinator, decided to celebrate Travon Walker. It's not hard to see why, as the former Bulldog has worked hard to improve his quality of play since being drafted with the first-overall pick in 2022.
This Sunday, the Jags will need Walker to realize his potential and clinch his second division championship since joining the franchise. The young edge already told the world how confident he was in himself and his teammates, so Campanile's comments essentially confirm that there won't be anything to worry about on that end.
Anthony Campanile praises Travon Walker's growth with the Jaguars
During a media availability session, Campanile applauded Walker's tenacity and professionalism, calling Walker "a great teammate. He then added that the fourth-year pass rusher does an excellent job "keeping teams behind the sticks and getting us into advantageous second down situations and, sometimes, advantageous third down situations."
The former Packers assistant also mentioned that the rising defender is a leader who helps the coaching staff establish the program's culture and vision.
"He's everything we wanna be as a defense. And when you have one of your guys who's a leader, doing things that way and practicing that way, makes it very easy as a coach to get that point of emphasis across and develop a culture."
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 2, 2026
Coach Campanile on @44Ytw's role as a teammate… pic.twitter.com/U8dw2K2afU
Campanile's kind words aren't mere coachspeak, as Walker's presence on the field garnered more attention in 2025. The edge's value grew so much that members of the national media started covering him as an attractive trade target for teams like the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles. This was surprising since No. 44's box score didn't match the impact he makes every snap he's on the field.
Aidan Hutchinson's massive contract extension gave everyone a chance to remember that Trent Baalke drafted Walker, a developmental prospect, over Michigan's NFL-ready stud. The move is still criticized by some, but it seems like Campanile agrees with Baalke's appraisal of the rising star, for the most part.
Unfortunately, the business side of the NFL is due to rear its ugly head in the near future. Jakobi Meyers and Cole Van Lanen were just rewarded for their performances this year, which shows James Gladstone is open for business despite the untraditional timing. If Travon Walker has a monstrous performance against the Tennessee Titans, he may then solidify his place in line for a new contract of his own this offseason.