Training Camp Preview: Position Battles Heat Up for Jacksonville Jaguars

As the NFL offseason winds down, training camp emerges as a make-or-break period for players vying for roster spots, starting roles, and the trust of coaches—and for the Jacksonville Jaguars, this year’s camp promises more intensity than usual. Fresh off a 9-8 season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs, the Jaguars enter 2025 with a mix of established stars, promising rookies, and veteran additions, creating fierce competition at nearly every position. Unlike recent years, where some starting roles were locked up before camp, this summer’s battles will shape the team’s identity: from the backup quarterback spot to the final cornerback slot, no job is safe. For head coach Doug Pederson, these battles are a welcome challenge—they push players to elevate their game, reveal hidden talent, and ensure the Jaguars field the strongest possible roster when the regular season begins. In a division as tight as the AFC South, every spot on the 53-man roster matters, making Training Camp Preview: Position Battles Heat Up for Jacksonville Jaguars a preview of the team’s quest to return to playoff contention.

Training Camp Preview: Position Battles Heat Up for Jacksonville Jaguars kicks off with one of the most closely watched competitions: the backup quarterback role behind franchise signal-caller Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, entering his fifth season, is firmly entrenched as the starter, but the Jaguars need a reliable backup to avoid the chaos of last year, when an injury to Lawrence’s former backup forced the team to sign a journeyman midseason. This year, two players are vying for the spot: second-year quarterback C.J. Beathard and rookie fifth-round pick Jake Luton Jr. Beathard, who spent last season on the practice squad, has NFL experience (12 career starts with the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville) and knows Pederson’s offense, giving him a familiarity edge. Luton Jr., however, brings fresh arm talent and mobility—he rushed for 300 yards and 5 touchdowns in his senior year at Oregon State—adding a dynamic element the Jaguars’ backup spot has lacked. The battle will play out in preseason games and daily drills, with Pederson emphasizing that “consistency and decision-making” will be the deciding factors. For the Jaguars, this battle isn’t just about depth; it’s about ensuring Lawrence has a capable understudy who can keep the offense on track if he misses time.

Another high-stakes battle at Jaguars camp is at running back, where the team is looking to replace the departed Travis Etienne Jr., who signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency. The competition features a mix of returning players and new additions, each with distinct strengths. Third-year player Tank Bigsby, who served as Etienne’s backup last season (rushing for 450 yards and 3 touchdowns), brings power and familiarity with the offense—he’s particularly effective in short-yardage situations, converting 70% of his third-and-1 attempts in 2024. Challenging him is free-agent signee Kareem Hunt, a veteran with 5,000+ career rushing yards and a Pro Bowl nod in 2017. Hunt’s versatility (he caught 45 passes for the Cleveland Browns last season) makes him a fit for Pederson’s pass-heavy scheme, and his experience could give him an edge in late-game situations. Rounding out the competition is rookie seventh-round pick Elijah Dotson, a speedster from Sacramento State who ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the Combine—he’s a long shot but could earn a spot on special teams or the practice squad with a strong camp. This battle will not only determine who starts but also how the Jaguars’ running game evolves, with Pederson hinting at a “by-committee” approach if no single player stands out.

A key dynamic in Training Camp Preview: Position Battles Heat Up for Jacksonville Jaguars is the competition in the secondary, where the Jaguars are looking to rebuild after losing two starting cornerbacks in free agency. The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the offseason with a gaping hole at cornerback, but they’ve since added depth through the draft and free agency, setting up a four-way battle for the two starting spots. Veteran free-agent signing Patrick Peterson (a three-time Pro Bowler) is the favorite to lock down one spot, but the other is up for grabs between second-year player Tyson Campbell, rookie second-round pick Kelee Ringo, and practice squad standout Montaric Brown. Campbell, who started 10 games last season, has the physical tools (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) but needs to improve his consistency—he allowed a 65tch rate against him in 2024. Ringo, a national champion at Georgia, brings elite ball skills (he had 8 interceptions in college) but needs to adjust to the NFL’s speed. Brown, meanwhile, impressed in limited action last season, recording 2 interceptions in 4 games. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this battle is critical: the AFC South features elite wide receivers like the Colts’ Alec Pierce and the Texans’ Nico Collins, so a strong secondary is essential to competing for the division title.

The defensive line is also a hotbed of competition at Jaguars camp, with the team looking to improve a pass rush that ranked 22nd in sacks (34) last season. The Jacksonville Jaguars added talent in the draft (first-round pick Byron Murphy II, a defensive tackle from Texas) and free agency (defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, a former Jaguar returning to the team), but there are still spots up for grabs in the rotation. Murphy II, a disruptive interior lineman with 11 sacks in college, will compete with returning starter DaVon Hamilton for the starting defensive tackle spot—Hamilton is a run-stopping specialist, while Murphy excels at pass rushing, creating a “best of both worlds” scenario if the Jaguars use them together. At defensive end, Ngakoue (who had 9 sacks for the Chicago Bears last season) is locked in as a starter, but the other spot is between returning player Josh Allen (7 sacks in 2024) and rookie fourth-round pick Andre Carter II. Allen, a former first-round pick, has shown flashes of brilliance but needs to stay healthy (he missed 3 games last season), while Carter II brings length (6-foot-7) and athleticism that could make him a situational pass rusher. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, a deeper, more productive defensive line could be the difference between a middle-of-the-pack defense and a top-10 unit—making this camp battle one of the most impactful.

As Jaguars training camp gets underway, Training Camp Preview: Position Battles Heat Up for Jacksonville Jaguars serves as a reminder of why camp is such a critical part of the NFL calendar. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, these battles aren’t just about selecting a roster—they’re about building a culture of competition, where every player knows they have to earn their spot. Pederson has emphasized that “no one is guaranteed anything,” a message that has resonated with both veterans and rookies. For fans, camp offers a first look at the team’s potential: Will Bigsby emerge as the next starting running back? Can Ringo live up to his college hype? Will the defensive line finally become a force? While answers won’t come overnight, the intensity of these battles will shape the Jaguars’ season. In the end, Training Camp Preview: Position Battles Heat Up for Jacksonville Jaguars is more than a preview—it’s a promise of a hard-fought summer, where talent, work ethic, and resilience will determine who gets to represent Jacksonville on Sundays. For a team with playoff aspirations, there’s no better way to prepare than by facing off against the best teammates every day.