Left tackle hasn't necessarily been a weakness for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season, but it hasn't been a strength either. Incumbent Walker Little was expected to build off his strong finish to 2024 but has instead struggled through the year.
Compounding the issue is that Little just missed a game with a concussion, and his replacement, Cole Van Lanen, shone in the win over the Indianapolis Colts. Not surprisingly, head coach Liam Coen made it clear how he feels about his encouraging performance.
Jaguars HC Liam Coen says Cole Van Lanen could be the starter at left tackle
Liam Coen met with the local media ahead of the New York Jets game and said that Cole Van Lanen has done enough to earn a starting job, noting that he's played well enough football. Here's the skinny.
"I think so. I mean, I think there's definitely he's played enough really good football for us," Coen responded when asked if Van Lanen deserves to start ( 8:28 mark). "We've got a great situation right now where you've got depth at multiple positions, of people that have had to play for us a lot. This shows up in multiple positions, all throughout the team, right? You can point to the defensive side of that for things, receiver."
Coen continued, "A lot of different positions that guys have been fortunate enough to step up, play well, lead, help lead us to get to where we are right now. And the message in the locker room is, 'Hey guys, there's a lot of guys that are coming back right now, and for us to continue to go where we want to go, we got to use that as as an edge,' and that depth and experience that we've gotten has to be collective and having a team first mindset about everything we do
this late this season."
A seventh-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2022, Van Lanen landed with the Jags via trade the following year. Although he hardly got minimal playing time the past three seasons, he's had an expanded role in 2025.
The former Wisconsin Badger has shown plenty of flexibility, lining up at all spots on the offensive line but center and thriving while doing so. He's posted a career-best 76.8 Pro Football Focus overall grade while allowing just one sack and 11 pressures. Meanwhile, Walker Little has surrendered a career-high nine sacks and 39 total pressures.
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Jaguars may have just found unexpected long-term answer at left tackle
Even though Cole Van Lanen's sample at left tackle is limited, he's certainly earned the chance to prove what he can do the rest of the season. Think of it as an audition of sorts.
Releasing Walker Little in 2026 would accelerate a cap hit of $3.6 million and create $18.2 million in dead space. The Jags could bite the bullet and release him regardless, but if they decide to keep him, the least they can do is bring in competition. Cole Van Lanen could provide just that. The issue is that he's in a contract year, and his market value is going up with every strong performance. Then again, if he keeps flourishing, Jacksonville must consider the possibility of bringing him back.
Ultimately, Cole Van Lanen could give the Jaguars a good problem next offseason. For the time being, they need to give him the chance to show what he brings to the table the remainder of the season.