Stu Jackson

Our offseason opponent breakdown series on theRams.com continues with Los Angeles' Week 7 road opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley Stadium, Oct. 19, 6:30 a.m. PT on NFL Network).

2024

Little went right for Jacksonville as it stumbled to a 4-13 record by the end of the 2024 season. The campaign further unraveled when quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a shoulder injury in Week 9, then went on season-ending Injured Reserve with a concussion sustained in Week 13. Already struggling in Lawrence's absence, the offense didn't get much help from the Jaguars' defense, which ended the regular season allowing the second-most total yards per game (389.9).

Key changes

Jacksonville made sweeping changes, first parting ways with head coach Doug Pederson in early January, then general manager Trent Baalke two weeks later. Pederson was replaced by former Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen who held the same position for the Buccaneers last season - while former Rams director of scouting strategy James Gladstone replaced Baalke.

Gladstone kicked off his tenure by trading up with the Browns from 5th overall to 2nd overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, who continues to spend time on both sides of the ball as he begins his pro career.

Head coach

Coen enters his first season as the Jaguars' head coach.

What to watch for

Each team's offensive identity

Remember in late January when Rams head coach Sean McVay talked about wanting a more versatile offense, and within that answer brought up the evolution of the Bucs' unit under Coen last season? And how Coen spent four total seasons across two stints on the Rams' coaching staff?

In yet another matchup highlighting the growth of McVay's coaching tree, it will be fascinating to see how each head coach influences the other team's offensive identity this season.

Tampa Bay had a home-run hitter with explosive carries in 2024 fourth-round pick Bucky Irving; the Rams went and got a player McVay described similarly in Auburn's Jarquez Hunter. Jacksonville will likely be shaped not only by how Coen operated last season, but Coen's time in Los Angeles as well, and the ways they will deploy Hunter.