John Oehser
JACKSONVILLEThe intensity heightened, and the theme remained constant.
The Jaguars on Tuesday afternoon moved into Phase Three of their 2026 offseason program, which meant increased competitiveness and intensity and also a familiar message from Head CoachLiam Coen:
Last season is no more, and the future is the main thing.
Coen spoke shortly after Day 1 practice of Jaguars 2026 Organized Team Activities at the Miller Electric Center Tuesday, with OTAs marking the first offseason period in which NFL teams can work in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 situations. QuarterbackTrevor Lawrencespoke immediately following Coen and reiterated the second-year head coach's message.
The Jaguars practiced close to two hours Thursday, starting in the early afternoon rather than the morning to accommodate players returning from Memorial Day weekend. Practice began indoors because of early afternoon rain, finishing outside in 90-degree temperatures.
Jaguars OTAs are scheduled this week, next week and June 15-19, with a three-day mandatory minicamp scheduled June 9-11. All offseason activities except minicamp are voluntary under NFL rules. Players can work with strength and conditioning staff and attend meetings in Phase 1, with individual and group work allowed on the field in Phase 2.
Live contact and 11-on-11 work are specifically prohibited until Phase Three.
Coen throughout the offseason has emphasized the need for looking ahead after the Jaguars finished 13-4 and won the AFC South in his first season as head coach last season. The Jaguars last made back-to-back postseason appearances in 1998-1999, with back-to-back AFC Central titles capping a run of four consecutive postseason appearances.
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The Jaguars will participate in "joint" practices before all three 2026 preseason games, Coen said Tuesday. The Jaguars are scheduled to play at the New Orleans Saints in Preseason Week 1 August 15, at home against the Carolina Panthers in Preseason Week 2 August 21 and at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Preseason Week 3 August 28. "You're in a little bit more of a controlled setting," Coen said of the advantage of a dual practice versus preseason games. "You can get the guys you want specific reps and not have to worry so much that you're putting a guy in a full-contact situation in preseason games that don't count against your record. It's a little more controlled and the teams we're practicing against have a good understanding of what that looks like, to do that together, and the guys they get more competitive." The Jaguars participated in one preseason dual practice last season. That was before a Preseason Week 3 game at the Miami Dolphins. "You're always trying to simulate game-like and I think those opportunities simulate game-like," Coen said. "We're feeling a lot better about it in Year 2."
