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Jacksonville Jaguars' players reflect during locker room cleanout
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- Jacksonville Jaguars' players reflect during locker room cleanout
The Jacksonville Jaguars held their locker room cleanout the morning after losing in the playoffs to the Buffalo Bills .
It gave players a last chance to take items from their locker and fellowship with teammates to reflect on the season. They stuffed game balls, personal items, cleats, clothes and other trinkets into large black trash bags as they transported them from the locker room of the Miller Electric Center to their vehicles.
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Captain Josh Hines-Allen distributed multiple jerseys to players on both sides of the ball. He had a pile of jerseys in the locker next to his personal locker and had teammates take different game worn and brand new 41 jerseys, signing each to provide a special note to each player.
End of the Road: Jaguars' year ends in disappointment, team remains confident in future
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis zipped around the locker room on his scooter, needed to assist him as he recovers from the season-ending foot surgery, to say goodbye to teammates.
Rookie defensive end BJ Green played music from a small speaker, jokingly highlighting the sentimental end of the team's season. Receivers Jakobi Meyers and Tim Patrick , veterans to the procedure locker cleanout day, left the building at the same time after doing interviews with media to reflect on their season.
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"I think what we were able to accomplish was big," Patrick said. "It was something nobody really expected, except the people here. I think it's great momentum going into next season, knowing that you can do it and giving everybody another year of being in this system."
Jaguars ' Trevor Lawrence says the team improved 'drastically' during the season
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks to congratulate other Buffalo Bills players after the game of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
A lot can change in a year.
Last January, quarterback Trevor Lawrence was fresh off surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and was entering a period of change as head coach Doug Pederson was fired.
Now, he's coming off his best season as a professional, statistically, and could see even more improvement next season.
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"You look at where we were [in] week one, all the way until now. We've improved drastically in a lot of different areas," Lawrence told reporters. "I think that's a product of the work we put in and learning the system more and guys getting more comfortable. That's going to carry over."
A key thing that gets lost during the conversation about Lawrence's season is the fact that he wasn't fully healthy last offseason. He began throwing in March and had restrictions to his play through OTAs.
A healthy offseason will do him well, especially as the team enters the second season in Coen's offense. If he was able to record a career-low in interceptions and career-high in total touchdowns with limitations, how much better will he look by the time the Jaguars take the field next August?
Jaguars' Jourdan Lewis sees similarities to his time with the Dallas Cowboys
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) celebrates his interception with safety Andrew Wingard (42), right, and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41), left, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 17-10.
This was the first time media talked to Lewis since he was put on injured reserve. He spoke about the highs and lows of his first season with the Jaguars, but one thing stood out to him about the season.
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The Jaguars have the same energy as his previous team after they made a regime change.
"We were really one of the worst defenses in the league in 2020. Then in 2021, everything changed," Lewis said, referencing former Cowboys' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's arrival. "We got tighter as a defensive unit, and guys had success quickly. They adapted to it and just like that system, we expounded on it and got better at it."
The Jaguars have similar goals in Anthony Campanile's second season. They were bit by the injury bug heavily in the secondary. It was a bit of a revolving door on a week-to-week basis, with completely different starters from the opening week of the season.
But an offseason to get healthy and a better understanding of the scheme will likely go a long way for the defense overall.
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Jaguars' Travon Walker won't use injuries as an excuse, reveals extent of
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) walks off the field after the game of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Speaking of the injury bug, Travon Walker said earlier this season that he was injured more than he'd ever been hurt before during the 2025 season. He has battle scars to prove it, too.
He still doesn't have full range of motion in his wrist from in-season surgery that repaired his dislocation that happened in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers .
And his knee was heavily bandaged throughout the back half of the season as he dealt with a knee injury that sidelined him for several weeks. But he doesn't want that to be his story.
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"It definitely took a toll on me," Walker said of the injuries. "Playing with one hand as a defensive lineman. It's hard to do certain things, but I definitely tried to do my best within what I could do with limited range of motion.
"As far as the knee, it is what it is. It's a 100 percent injury rating in this game."
Walker said he wants to be the best player in the NFL every day, injuries or not. He showed it with how he fought all season to stay on the field and especially with the plays he made on a weekly basis.
Jaguars' Jarrian Jones feels like he grew in his second season
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 07: Jarrian Jones #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates a fumble recovery against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Several players took several steps to become better this season. Second-year defensive back Jarrian Jones might've taken the biggest stride on the team.
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Jones was fighting for playing time last season.
He was one of the most valuable players in the secondary this season. His versatility to play inside and outside became key for the team as they had injuries at multiple positions.
Jones was not only starting by the end of the season, he was thriving.
"Last year when I talked to y'all, I think you saw all the confidence. You saw everything," Jones said. "I think I'm becoming, what I said I was going to be. And that's dominant. I think that's solidifying myself as one of the best in the league."
It does open an interesting question for Jacksonville going into next season. Who will start at nickel, Jones or Lewis?
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Jaguars' Parker Washington reflects on the best season of his career
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) celebrates his first down pickup during the third quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Parker Washington was another player who took big strides.
He went from being the fourth wide receiver in Jacksonville's offense to the most dependable pass catcher for Lawrence by the end of the season. He recorded 58 catches for 847 yards and five touchdowns—all career-high numbers.
That's not even to mention the 95 targets he saw in 2025, which is more than his first two seasons combined. But when asked what he'll remember most about the season, it had nothing to do with his play on the field.
"Having, in our receiver room, Jakobi [Meyers], Tim [Patrick], those are guys that I got closer with," Washington said. "Really enjoyed them as teammates. Them pushing me to be a better player. Them believing in me and having my back through it all."
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Washington's performance this year should earn him the opportunity to have a larger share of the offense going into next season. I know Travis Hunter has to fit into the offense somehow, but Washington is clearly skilled enough to be a productive player in Coen's system.
Good problems to have.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trevor Lawrence, Travon Walker reflect on Jaguars season during cleanout
