JACKSONVILLE – We’re four days out now.

The game planning has begun for real. The games count now for real. And if that brings some nerves and an added edge, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said the fact that the regular season is opening – at last – on Sunday brings the best NFL reality possible.

The buildup is over and that’s just, plain cool.

“It just feels good to be in Week 1,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence spoke to the media Wednesday as the Jaguars (13-4, AFC South Champions in 2025) prepared to play the Cleveland Browns (5-12) in the regular-season opener at EverBank Field Sunday at 1 p.m. Multiple Jaguars players also spoke Wednesday, echoing that thought:

The regular season is here. For real.

“It couldn’t be more real,” Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington said, with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers adding, “We’re all excited.”

“It’s the beginning of the season,” Meyers said. “We’re ready to go.”

The Jaguars will enter the regular-season opener with few starters having played in a game situation since a loss in the AFC Wild Card Playoff to the Buffalo Bills, with Head Coach Liam Coen focusing on joint practices for preparation for experienced players and preseason games for evaluation of younger players.

That means a different, more intentional feel to the week.

“You have something to game plan for now,” Lawrence said. “You’re out of the training camp grind, every day installing every play you have in your offense. You get to the end [of training camp] and you have been doing the same stuff against your defense. Having the direction now of preparing for an opponent, that’s the fun part of the puzzle.

“You put it together through the week and you’re mastering your plan and getting ready. As a quarterback, you love that because you know what you’re doing and what you’re trying to get to every day. That’s been fun and I think guys are excited to get to Week 1.”

Added Washington, “We’re confident. We put a lot of time in. These joint practices have been great for us. We have been attacking what we want to improve and continuing to hone in on what we’re really good at. We’re excited to get out there on Sunday.”