5 Jaguars entering make-or-break years in Jacksonville this season
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expecting several newcomers to have an impact in 2024. Players such as rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. or free-agent acquisition Arik Armstead are expected to fill key roles come Week 1. On the other hand, the Jags also counting on a handful of returning players to step up.
These are players who either dealt with injuries or were underwhelming last season. They'll now be under pressure to deliver if they want to be part of the team's long-term plans. With that in mind, here are five Jaguars are entering make-or-break years in 2024.
Jaguars LB Chad Muma is entering a make-or-break season in 2024
Back in 2022, the Jags raised eyebrows when they drafted Chad Muma just two rounds after selecting Devin Lloyd 27th overall. This wasn't necessarily a bad decisiony. After all, there isn't anything inherently wrong with going with the best player available. The trouble is that, in practice, Muma has left much to be desired.
Muma started his rookie season behind Lloyd and Foyesade Oluokun. He got a chance when Lloyd was benched. He played relatively well but an ankle injury forced him to return to the sidelines. Then in 2023, the coaching staff made it clear that Lloyd was the starter.
Fortunately for Muma, he once again got an opportunity to show what he got when Lloyd missed a couple games. However, he struggled against the run and wasn't much better in coverage. Not surprisingly, the former Wyoming Cowboy didn't get much playing time the rest of the year.
Muma is now entering Year 3 without a defined role. The Jaguars will be switching to a 4-3 scheme under Ryan Nielsen. On paper, that should be good news for him. However, Jacksonville will routinely have a nickel cornerback, insted of a third linebacker, on the field, so he won't get much playing time barring injuries to Oluokun or Lloyd.
It's also worth noting that Jacksonville re-signed Oluokun in the offseason. Leaving aside that he's one of the team's best players on and off the field, the front office might not have given him an extension if they were sold on Muma.
The fourth-year linebacker now finds himself needing to fend off sophomore Ventrell Miller if he wants to be the primary backup at linebacker in 2024.