“That’s a mentality, that’s personnel, that’s scheme, that’s technique, that’s fundamentals, and that’s attitude. That’s something that we need to make sure we instill,” said Liam Coen after becoming the head coach of the Jaguars. But the entire team was behind him for ditching the Buccaneers. And he needed to prove naysayers wrong.

That’s why they changed the roster. Not by force, but by letting bygones be bygones. This move also found support from the new GM James Gladstone.

The Jaguars have become the only team that has not re-signed any free agent. Travis Holmes of BigCatCountry.com revealed this fact while saying they have released 9 players. They even were the most-improved team after releasing the free agents. Browns were also in the same category a few days back. But after signing LB Devin Bush, they aren’t anymore. So, that leaves the Jags as the only outlier team.

Out of those 9, 5 released players have signed with other NFL teams. This detox was due at the franchise for a long time. Under the previous HC Doug Pederson, they qualified for the playoffs once in 2022 with a 9-8 win-loss record. The next year, they had the same record but failed to qualify. But 2024 was a disaster. Even with Trevor Lawrence at center, they failed miserably with a 4-13 win-loss record.

They definitely needed big changes this year. Liam Coen took the responsibility for changing the team. And so far, he has been trying to get rid of former players. It started with tweaks to their offensive line as they released TE Evan Engram and receivers Devin Duvernay, Josh Reynolds, and Christian Kirk. So, the head coach knew he had to bring in fresh players.

Jags signal caller Trevor Lawrence looked helpless in the 2024 season. He didn’t find enough support. Coen has figured out a solution for this as well.

Liam Coen adds key O-line weapon

After not signing their players back, the Jaguars have managed to rake up $35.7 million cap space in the free agency. So, they are using that to fulfill their plan. QB Trevor Lawrence is the center of attention. To make sure they have the tools, HC Liam Coen decided to beef up his protection.

They signed offensive tackle Fred Johnson to a one-year deal. The 27-year-old, standing 6’7″ and weighing 326 pounds, was originally signed by the Steelers in 2019. After spending three seasons with the Bengals, he had a stint with the Buccaneers in 2022. However, later that year, the Eagles picked him up before their Super Bowl LVII loss to the Chiefs.

Johnson, though, never lost hope and played the next 2 seasons for the Birds. The success came finally. They decimated the Kansas-based franchise in New Orleans in the Super Bowl LIX. Liam Coen could definitely use that experience from his offensive lineman to fill confidence in the roster. This will also help the signal caller get some extra time to make passes.

The Jaguars will also go all out for drafting new players in the 2025 draft. But there’s a month remaining. So, till then, it’s more of a wait-and-watch game with all the free agents waiting for teams to sign them up.