Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Promises Disciplined Play

In the NFL, a disciplined defense is often the foundation of a championship-caliber team—one that avoids costly penalties, stays true to its scheme, and limits opponents’ explosive plays. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this principle has become a rallying cry ahead of the 2025 season, as defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell has publicly promised to build a “disciplined, assignment-focused defense” during training camp. Last season, the Jaguars’ defense struggled with inconsistency, ranking 18th in total defense and committing 89 penalties (the 12th-most in the league)—many of which came at critical moments, like unnecessary roughness calls that extended opponents’ drives or pass interference flags that gave up easy first downs. Caldwell’s promise isn’t just empty rhetoric; it’s a response to the mistakes that cost the Jaguars multiple games in 2024, including a last-second loss to the Indianapolis Colts where a defensive holding penalty set up the Colts’ game-winning field goal. For a team with playoff aspirations, restoring discipline to the defense is essential—and Caldwell’s proactive approach in camp signals that the Jaguars are ready to turn their defensive fortunes around. For fans and analysts, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Promises Disciplined Play is more than a training camp soundbite; it’s a blueprint for how the Jaguars plan to compete in the tough AFC South.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Promises Disciplined Play starts with a clear assessment of last season’s flaws: Caldwell and his staff have spent the offseason breaking down film of every penalty and assignment error, identifying patterns that need to be fixed. A majority of the Jaguars’ defensive penalties last season were avoidable—15 pass interference calls, 12 unnecessary roughness flags, and 8 offside violations—many of which stemmed from players overreacting to opponents’ moves or abandoning their assignments to make a highlight play. Caldwell has been blunt with his players about the impact of these mistakes, telling them in a recent camp meeting, “Discipline isn’t about being perfect—it’s about doing your job every play, even when the crowd is loud or the opponent is trash-talking.” To address this, the coaches have revamped their practice structure, adding “discipline drills” that test players’ ability to stay focused on their assignments while facing distractions. For example, during one-on-one coverage drills, trainers play loud music or shout to simulate game-day noise, forcing players to tune out distractions and stick to their coverage responsibilities. The goal is to build muscle memory so that, in real games, players react instinctively to their assignments rather than making impulsive decisions that lead to penalties.

A closer look at Caldwell’s approach reveals the specificity of his plan to build a disciplined defense. One key focus is penalty prevention, which starts with teaching players the nuances of NFL rules to avoid avoidable flags. For cornerbacks, this means practicing “legal contact” drills where they learn how to defend receivers without grabbing or pushing—reducing the risk of pass interference. For defensive linemen, the emphasis is on avoiding offside calls; they run “timing drills” where they practice exploding off the line only after the ball is snapped, using visual and auditory cues to develop proper timing. Linebackers, who were responsible for 20 of the team’s penalties last season, work on “assignment retention” drills: they study playbooks to memorize their roles in different defensive schemes, then run through scenarios where coaches randomly call plays to test their recall. Caldwell has also implemented a “penalty tracking” system in camp, where every defensive penalty is logged and reviewed with the entire unit after practice. This transparency ensures that players understand how their mistakes affect the team, and it creates a culture where accountability is prioritized. These drills aren’t just about following rules; they’re about building trust between players and coaches—trust that everyone will do their job, which is the backbone of a disciplined defense.

A critical part of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Promises Disciplined Play is the role of leadership within the defensive unit, which Caldwell has leaned on to enforce his vision. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense features veteran leaders like defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who have embraced their roles as “discipline enforcers” in camp. Ngakoue, a 10-year NFL veteran, has taken it upon himself to mentor young defensive linemen, showing them film of his own past penalties and explaining how he learned to avoid them. Jenkins, meanwhile, leads pre-practice meetings where he reviews the team’s penalty log from the previous day, highlighting areas where the unit needs to improve. These veterans don’t just set an example with their play—they hold their teammates accountable, calling out mistakes during drills and encouraging players to stay focused. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this leadership is invaluable; young players like rookie cornerback Kelee Ringo and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II look to Ngakoue and Jenkins for guidance, and their willingness to learn has helped the unit gel faster. Caldwell noted, “Leadership is the glue that holds a disciplined defense together. When veterans step up and demand accountability, everyone follows suit.” This team-wide commitment to discipline has already been evident in camp, with the defense committing just 12 penalties in the first three weeks—down from 28 during the same period last year.

Another key aspect of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Promises Disciplined Play is the integration of situational drills to prepare the defense for high-pressure moments. The Jacksonville Jaguars have recreated game-deciding scenarios in camp, from defending a two-minute drill to stopping a fourth-and-short play, to test the defense’s discipline when the stakes are high. In one recent drill, the defense was tasked with stopping a simulated game-winning drive by the Indianapolis Colts’ offense, with the clock winding down and the Colts needing a touchdown to win. The defense stayed true to its scheme, avoided penalties, and forced a turnover on downs—an outcome that would have changed the result of last season’s loss to the Colts. Caldwell uses these drills to teach players that discipline is most important when the pressure is on, saying, “Opponents will try to bait you into mistakes in crunch time. Our job is to stay calm and execute.” The Jaguars have also brought in former NFL referees to explain rule changes and officiating tendencies, helping players understand what’s allowed and what’s not in different situations. This preparation ensures that, in real games, players don’t have to second-guess themselves—they can focus on their assignments and trust that their training will carry them through.

As training camp progresses, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Promises Disciplined Play has begun to translate into tangible results on the field. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense has looked sharper in scrimmages, limiting the offense to just 17 points per scrimmage and forcing 8 turnovers—while committing only 3 penalties in those sessions. For the Jaguars, this progress is encouraging, but Caldwell has made it clear that the work isn’t done. He’s emphasized that discipline is a “daily commitment,” not a one-time goal, and he’s continued to adjust drills and film sessions to address any emerging issues. The defense’s improved discipline has also boosted the team’s overall morale; players have more confidence in their ability to stop opponents, and they’re excited about the potential of the unit this season. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, a disciplined defense could be the missing piece in their quest for a Super Bowl—one that complements their high-powered offense and allows them to win close games. In the end, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Promises Disciplined Play is a testament to Caldwell’s leadership and the team’s willingness to put in the work to fix its flaws. By prioritizing accountability, preparation, and focus, the Jaguars are building a defense that can compete with the best in the NFL—and one that could lead them to glory in 2025.