Feb. 13, 2026, 3:32 p.m. ET
What is the big question facing the Jacksonville Jaguars and GM James Gladstone this offseason?
That is the question that each of ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters answered for each of the respective teams that they cover.
When it came to the Jaguars, Michael DiRocco asked, “How will the Jaguars address their pass rush?”
“The Jaguars must make getting the quarterback on the ground a priority; they ranked third in QB pressures (222) but 27th in sacks (32) in 2025,” DiRocco wrote.
To DiRocco’s point, while the overall pressure numbers were good, along with struggling to produce sacks, Jacksonville also ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in pressure rate.
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In addition to that, the vast majority of the Jaguars’ pressures were generated by Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and Arik Armstead, highlighting the need for improved depth at both the defensive end and tackle positions.
We also saw a lack of pass-rush juice from the defensive tackle position, specifically down the stretch of the season.
Head coach Liam Coen recently discussed ways that the Jaguars can improve in 2026, one of which was affecting the quarterback more often.
“So, and then defensively, we’ve got to continue to limit the explosives in the air in the pass game on third down especailly,” Coen told Pete Prisco, “and continue to find ways to affect and impact the quarterback in the pass rush. So those are some areas we’re looking to improve.”
As we highlighted recently, this seems to be a very good draft class at the defensive end position. And although the Jaguars are short on salary cap space currently, they do have the ability to create quite a bit more room.
The Jaguars’ defense made huge strides in Year 1 under Anthony Campanile. Taking that next step will include affecting the quarterback at a steadier rate.