Summer in the NFL is like a slow-cooked pot of chili—patience is key, but the early spices hint at what’s brewing. Picture training camps as batting practice: swings are fine-tuned, gloves pop, and every crack of the ball whispers potential. In Jacksonville, the Jaguars’ new head coach, Liam Coen, isn’t just stirring the pot—he’s eyeing a secret ingredient to elevate his recipe. Meanwhile, down in Tennessee, a quarterback carousel spins faster than a NASCAR pit stop, leaving fans wondering if history’s about to repeat itself.
Liam Coen, the Jaguars’ first-year maestro, knows a thing or two about building offenses. But this offseason, he’s juggling more than playbooks. Rumors swirl that Coen’s targeting Titans backup Will Levis—a 3,899-yard passer with untapped potential—to bolster Jacksonville’s QB depth. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s handling of Cam Ward and Levis feels eerily familiar, like déjà vu from the 2021 Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence–Gardner Minshew saga.
“Right now, it’s all evenly split,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said about reps between Ward and Levis. “We’re not really going against anybody, so we just roll through it… They’re roughly about even all the way through, which is pretty standard for this time of year.” But as any grillmaster knows, uneven heat leads to burnt ends.
The Titans’ insistence on splitting first-team snaps between Ward and Levis raises eyebrows. Levis, who threw 21 touchdowns and 16 picks over two seasons, seems destined for a backup role. But Tennessee’s GM Mike Borgonzi claims they didn’t try to trade him during the draft—a statement as believable as a 10-cent steak. “I think there’s going to be competition in every room, and he [Levis] elevates the competition in that room,” the GM said.
NFL RUMORS: #Titans QB Will Levis has had links to the #Rams and #Jaguars during the #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/JJbpCK1P7A
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 24, 2025
If Coen snags Levis, it’d be a savvy move, adding an arm with starter experience behind Trevor Lawrence. But Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins looms as trade competition, threatening to undercut Levis’ market value. Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ defense is stealing headlines. During OTAs, they nabbed five takeaways, including two Lawrence interceptions.
“You never want to have interceptions,” Lawrence admitted. “But on the other hand, you want to see the miscommunication or some of that so you can fix it now and not carry that over later on.” Rookie two-way phenom Travis Hunter—a human energy drink—already dazzles. “He doesn’t get tired,” Lawrence said, grinning. Hunter’s explosiveness mirrors Bo Jackson’s dual-sport swagger, giving Coen a Swiss Army knife to deploy.
Liam Coen’s defensive edge
Jacksonville’s defense, dead last in pass coverage in 2024, now thrives under Coen’s emphasis on aggression. “We had a couple of guys trying to be intentional about getting the ball out and getting their hands on the football… We’re actively trying to be intentional about this whole offseason,” Coen noted. Rookie CB Jarrian Jones tipped a Lawrence pass for a pick, while safety Darnell Savage snagged an overthrow. The unit’s resurgence feels refreshing—a stark contrast to last year’s struggles. Offensively, Coen faces a rebuild, though.
Lawrence adapts to his third system in five years, while Hunter learns dual playbooks. “He is super talented and really smart, but it takes some time to learn the system,” Lawrence said. Coen’s challenge? Balancing Hunter’s reps between offense and defense without diluting his impact. It’s like managing a fantasy lineup where your WR1 also plays cornerback.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Jacksonville Jaguars Rookie Minicamp May 10, 2025 Jacksonville, FL, USA Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter 12 completing a passing drill during rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center. Jacksonville Miller Electric Center FL USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xTravisxRegisterx 20250510_bd_na7_195
The Titans’ QB drama and Jaguars’ defensive revival set the stage for an AFC South showdown. Coen’s potential pursuit of Levis adds intrigue, while Hunter’s versatility could redefine two-way play. As philosopher Yogi Berra once quipped, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” Will Tennessee’s gamble on Ward backfire like Urban Meyer’s Lawrence-Minshew mess? Or can Coen’s Jaguars, armed with a resurgent defense and offensive fireworks, challenge Houston’s reign? Grab your foam finger—this season’s plot twists are just heating up.
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