Jaguars Struggle Defensively, Lose NFL Preseason Opener to Steelers

The 2025 NFL preseason has provided early insights into several teams' performances, particularly highlighting the Jacksonville Jaguars under new head coach Liam Coen. The Jaguars showed promise on offense, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence demonstrating efficiency and confidence in a 12-play, 44-yard drive that ended in a field goal, despite some penalties that stalled a potential touchdown. However, the defense struggled, giving up a touchdown on the opening drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Coen expressing concerns over loose coverage and coverage breakdowns, reflecting the adjustments required to a new defensive scheme emphasizing zone coverage over man-to-man. Nebraska alumni also made notable preseason impacts, with players like Zach Martinez, Abdullah, and Toure contributing to their respective NFL teams, showcasing a mix of promising performances and areas for improvement. Overall, while the Jaguars’ offense under Coen shows flashes of potential, the team still faces challenges on defense and in discipline, indicating a work in progress as they prepare for the regular season.