Training camp is fully underway, and there have been blurbs aplenty from media, coaches, and players alike. Obviously, this is the most optimistic time of the year, so you usually have to take in-house commentary with a grain of salt. However, there's one little ditty that was music to my ears, as I have been very concerned about the Jaguars' pass rush heading into the 2026 season.
Recently, Josh Hines-Allen, the Jaguars' all-time leader in sacks, spoke about his younger teammates along the defensive line of scrimmage. He was positive about all of them, but there was one second-year edge rusher who got a bit more praise than the rest.
Defensive end B.J. Green II made the team last year after going undrafted out of Colorado. His biggest highlight as a rookie was his thunderous hit against Justin Herbert during Jacksonville's blowout win against the Los Angeles Chargers during the squad's late-season win streak. Before and after that play, Green put together a solid debut campaign and flashed signs that he could be one of the better backups on the Jags' roster, at the very least.
However, Hines-Allen would probably think that my expectations for Green's development aren't high enough.
Josh Hines-Allen met with the local media after Day 2 of training camp and gushed about B.J. Green II and his work ethic. Here's what he had to say about the Jaguars sophomore:
"I'll wake up, I walk into the building. He'll be [there] first thing. I'm betting you today. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, I love that," Hines-Allen told reporters. "And you know, after every practice, every play, [Green will say] 'Josh, you seen that? You seen that? I beat you right here. I got you right here. You probably got me right here.' So it's just a lot of competition flying around with me and him."
B.J. Green's hunger could secure his spot on the Jaguars roster
Josh Hines-Allen's observation is telling, as it's rare to see a second-year player beat his more-experienced colleagues to the office. Also, B.J. Green sounds like he's a sponge trying to soak up whatever knowledge he can from the well-tenured pros around him before and after he takes the practice field.
We're still in the earliest parts of training camp, but Green's maturation as a professional could reap serious dividends if he can translate his attitude to the gridiron. For what it's worth, he'll get the chance to prove himself, as James Gladstone drafted two defensive ends with differing play styles this offseason.
Wesley Williams, who was a three-year starter at Duke and helped the Blue Devils win an ACC Championship, was drafted in the fourth round this spring. The pick Jacksonville used to select him gives Williams a strong chance to avoid being sent to the practice squad. That isn't good news for fringe players the team never spent a pick on.
With Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker both standing at the top of the depth chart, Green will need to show Liam Coen and Anthony Campanile why he should be the one grabbing a coveted spot at the bottom end of the final 53 before the Jags kick things off against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.
Ideally, Green would prove he's worth keeping around by disrupting opposing offenses every chance he gets during the preseason. Jacksonville's first tune-up game against the New Orleans Saints on August 15th is still a couple of weeks away, so there's still some time left for the Colorado Buff to separate himself from his peers along the EDGE during practice.
Either way, pro football has finally returned, and it won't be much longer until all the thrilling position battles we've been writing about settle themselves on the field. Liam Coen's arrival has definitely raised the standard in Duval County, so we'll see how things shake out during one of the most competitive training camps we've seen yet.
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