On September 2, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen held a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, marking his only media availability between the conclusion of the preseason and the upcoming season opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 13. During this session, Coen covered a variety of topics, notably the recent trade for quarterback Quinn Ewers from the Miami Dolphins, who will serve as the backup to starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Coen's decision to acquire Ewers came after the team released Nick Mullens, who has since returned to the practice squad. The coach emphasized the importance of fostering competition within the quarterback room, stating, "Just wanting to continue to create the competition in the room. I thought watching some of the stuff he did last year, when he got some ops to go play, I thought he showed some signs of being able to spread the ball around to different spots on the field. Has some arm talent." Coen expressed confidence in Ewers' potential, particularly noting his development under Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.
As the Jaguars prepare for their season opener, they have a brief hiatus until September 9, allowing them time to assess their roster and strategies. Coen highlighted the significance of keeping Mullens on the practice squad, stating, "Wanted to make sure we kept Nick as well here in terms of week one, what does [Ewers] look like, and is he up to speed?" This approach aims to ensure the team is well-prepared should anything happen to Lawrence during the season.
Another focal point of Coen's remarks was rookie defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. The coach praised Thomas for his natural pass-rushing abilities and explosiveness, which he observed during early training sessions. Coen remarked, "Early in OTAs, when you just saw him hit bags, really early on when we had no pads on, nothing. You could see an explosiveness, twitchy, loose, just some natural pass rush skills." He expressed optimism about Thomas's contributions as the season unfolds.
Coen also took the opportunity to discuss Trevor Lawrence's development, specifically his ability to throw accurately while rolling to his left. He noted the importance of Lawrence's versatility, stating, "I think I saw some pretty cool stats of Trevor rolling to his left specifically, and what the accuracy looked like, and how many completions and explosives were created." This adaptability is crucial for a quarterback, especially as defenses become more sophisticated.
Additionally, Coen highlighted the value of veteran running back Ameer Abdullah, praising his work ethic and leadership qualities. "Ameer is one of the first guys in our building. Every single day, the way that he prepares his body, the way he prepares for practice, the way that he goes about his business. He’s a great teammate," Coen said, underscoring Abdullah's role both on and off the field.
Finally, Coen provided updates on the rehabilitation of offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen and running back LeQuint Allen Jr. He expressed confidence in their commitment to recovery, stating, "I think if anybody can do it, it’ll be those guys because of the way that they attack the rehab, the way that they attack the process." With the season fast approaching, the Jaguars are focused on ensuring their players are ready to contribute as they aim for a successful campaign.
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