JACKSONVILLE – Improvement is a must, and that’s happening defensively this week.
Anthony Campanile made that clear Tuesday when speaking to the media following Day 14 practice of 2025 Training Camp. These were his first public comments since Saturday’s preseason opener, and his theme was simple.
“We have to do a better job with communication; that’s probably the No. 1 thing,” he said.
Campanile, in his first season as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator, spoke following an intense, two-hour practice at the Miller Electric Center – and discussed in detail the defense’s performance in a 31-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at EverBank Stadium Saturday.
The Jaguars’ first-team defense allowed a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive on its lone possession Saturday.
“I wanted [the communication] to be better than it was,” Campanile said. “But we have new guys out there in a new system. We’re working on that. We’ll get it right.”
Campanile, who said the defensive scheme Saturday featured a “small menu,” lauded the defense for playing well against the run in the game. The Steelers rushed 25 times for 66 yards. Campanile also noted an early “three-and-out” possession and a defensive stop to regain possession in the final four minutes.
“That was good to see,” he said. “The guys kept competing that way. There are a lot of things to correct, but there definitely were some positives there.”