Jacksonville Jaguars' 2024 season hopes rise as rookie Travis Hunter shines on offense & defense. See how he & Trevor Lawrence plan to erase a 4-13 record.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
As the Jacksonville Jaguars wrapped up their final minicamp practice on Friday, a new kind of energy buzzed through the facility. It wasn't just the relief of a summer break on the horizon; it was the electrifying sight of No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, effortlessly gliding between wide receiver and cornerback drills. Hunter's rare talent is the spark plug for a franchise desperate to erase the memory of a dismal 4-13 season and rally behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence's vow for a comeback.
'Every setback is a setup for a comeback.' - Trevor Lawrence
The main attraction of minicamp has been rookie phenom Travis Hunter. The Jaguars are wasting no time deploying their new weapon on both sides of the ball, a strategy that made him a college football legend. His performance has already turned heads, including veteran safety Eric Murray's. 'It's natural for him, it's just very natural...to be able to do that at the highest level is one of the most impressive feats I've seen in a while,' Murray said. While Hunter has yet to sign his projected $46.5 million rookie deal, no holdout is expected, clearing the path for the 'Hunter effect' to be on full display this fall.
While Hunter provides the new excitement, the team's fate still rests on the shoulders of Trevor Lawrence. After a brutal 2024 campaign, Lawrence is leading the charge with a renewed focus. 'Every setback is a setup for a comeback,' he stated, a mantra the entire organization has adopted. With strategic changes to the coaching staff and roster, the front office has put its faith in Lawrence to orchestrate a significant turnaround. The hope is that improved protection and new weapons will allow the franchise quarterback to return to his playoff-caliber form.
The offense received a brief scare when star receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who posted a stellar 1,282-yard rookie season, went down after a hard fall in a collision with Tyson Campbell. Thomas left the field with trainers, but Head Coach Liam Coen quickly eased concerns. 'He's fine. He absolutely could've gone back and played -- just bruised it a little bit,' Coen confirmed. The incident, though minor, was a stark reminder of how crucial Thomas's health is to the Jaguars' offensive aspirations in 2025.
The optimism isn't just internal. Sportsbooks have set the Jaguars' 2025 win total at 7.5, nearly double their four wins from last season. This projection reflects a belief that the offseason moves, combined with the development of young talent like Lawrence, Thomas, and now Hunter, will make the team far more competitive. While still longshots for the Super Bowl at +8000, their +300 odds to win the AFC South suggest a return to divisional relevance is well within reach if the pieces fall into place.
With minicamp in the books, the Jaguars head into the summer break with a palpable sense of optimism that was absent a year ago. The next major milestone will be getting Travis Hunter's rookie deal signed, but all signs point to that being a formality. The real work begins in training camp, where the blueprint for this comeback season will be put to the test. For now, Duval can dream of a two-way star, a resurgent quarterback, and a return to AFC contention.
