With Week 1 upon us, here are three reasons the Jacksonville Jaguars can make the playoffs in 2025.

It was an offseason full of change for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and with that comes plenty of optimism heading into the 2025 NFL season.

With Week 1 of the regular season now upon us, let’s take a look at three reasons that the Jaguars can go from just four wins in 2024 to being a playoff contender in 2025.

Trevor Lawrence

Quarterback play will ultimately determine what the ceiling is for each NFL team, and the early returns for Trevor Lawrence in Liam Coen’s system have been promising.

In three possessions this preseason, Lawrence was extremely efficient, completing 14-of-17 passes–which includes one drop–for 119 yards with a touchdown and another drive that ended in a field goal.

Beyond the production, his operation of the offense was very clean. He’s been making his way through his progressions on time and efficiently. We’ve also seen Lawrence attacking the middle of the field, spreading the ball around, and when there has been pressure, he’s often been able to buy time.

As GM James Gladstone put it recently when discussing Lawrence’s growth this offseason, he is “jacked.”

Some of the priorities this offseason for Lawrence were refining his footwork, how he navigates his progressions, and how he utilizes his eyes to manipulate defenders.

Liam Coen’s offensive system

A top priority this offseason for the Jaguars was building around Lawrence. This included Gladstone reshaping the offensive line, along with adding more playmaking potential by bringing in Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, and Bhayshul Tuten.

But also a key part of that equation when it comes to getting more out of Lawrence was the hiring of Coen, who brings a Sean McVay-esque scheme to the Jaguars.

This is a system built on multiplicity and throwing a variety of different looks at defenses to keep them guessing.

Of course, there are numerous ways this is accomplished, but it includes running a variety of plays from just a few personnel groups, which helps create mismatches. We will also see like-plays, or concepts that build off each other and may look similar initially, but are actually quite different.

An improved running game will be a priority for Coen as well, which can keep the offense out of predictable passing situations, while also helping to open up opportunities in the passing game.

All of that will help take some of the playmaking burden off of Lawrence’s shoulders, so he doesn’t have to be Superman on every play. The schematics will also help put the skill position players in space where they can make plays–so, again, the playmaking workload doesn’t only fall on the pass-catchers and ball carriers.

More pressure and takeaway potential

Generating more takeaways and getting more regular pressure on the quarterback are two areas where the Jaguars’ defense must improve this season.

Those are the two greatest ways that a defense can impact the game, and it’s also two areas where this unit struggled mightily last season.

However, as part of the roster and organizational overhaul that took place this offseason, the Jaguars took major steps in improving in those areas.

Anthony Campanile brings zone-heavy, vision-based approach on the back end. In short, having all eyes on the quarterback at all times hopefully leads to more plays on the football. Throughout training camp, Campanile has also put an emphasis on going after the football to force fumbles.

Up front, a lot of change has taken place. Gladstone added experienced depth at defensive end, signing Emmanuel Ogbah and Dawuane Smoot. At defensive tackle, he traded for Khalen Saunders and added Austin Johnson during camp, who made a quick impact. Arik Armstead is also moving inside, and the team is hopeful Maason Smith can make a Year 2 jump.

Along with the additions to the defensive front, Campanile’s scheme deploys a more attacking play-style. We can also expect to see more blitzing and simulated pressures to help create advantageous matchups for the defensive line as well.

Slowing the run game puts the offense behind the sticks and provides the front with the opportunity to rush the passer. Sacks, as we know, are the name of the game, while pressures lead to errant throws, incompletions, and potential turnovers.

If the Jaguars can progress in these areas, the defense as a whole will greatly improve–and for Jacksonville’s offense, that means more scoring opportunities.