Jaguars Seen as Surprise Super Bowl Contender After Strong 2025 Season

Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs, the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to be a top threat for Super Bowl LXI next season.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 7:47am

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The Jacksonville Jaguars, led by a young core of players including Trevor Lawrence, Travon Walker, and Brian Thomas Jr., exceeded expectations in the 2025 NFL season and are now viewed as a surprise contender for the Super Bowl in 2027. While the team faces some key free agent losses and lacks a first-round draft pick, their continuity with the coaching staff and emerging talent give them optimism for continued improvement.

Why it matters

The Jaguars' unexpected success in 2025 has them positioned as an up-and-coming team in the NFL, with a chance to compete for a championship sooner than many anticipated. Their rapid rise is a testament to smart roster-building and coaching, and could signal the start of a new era of sustained success for the long-struggling franchise.

The details

Despite exiting the playoffs in the first round, the Jaguars felt closer to a title in 2025 than they had in years, losing to the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks by just 8 points in the regular season. The team's young core, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, edge rusher Travon Walker, and others, showed significant growth under first-year head coach Liam Coen and his staff. However, the Jaguars face some key free agent losses this offseason, including running back Travis Etienne Jr. and linebacker Devin Lloyd, and will not have a first-round draft pick to help replenish the roster.

  • The Jaguars lost to the Seahawks 27-19 in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season.
  • The Jaguars were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round in 2025.

The players

Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars' young and talented quarterback who is seen as a key part of the team's future.

Travon Walker

The Jaguars' first-round draft pick in 2022 who has emerged as a dominant edge rusher.

Liam Coen

The Jaguars' first-year head coach who helped guide the team to unexpected success in 2025.

Travis Etienne Jr.

The Jaguars' starting running back who is set to hit free agency this offseason.

Devin Lloyd

The Jaguars' starting linebacker who is also set to hit free agency this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“The Jaguars did a good job of getting close to the quarterback in 2025 (222 pressures, ranked third), but not so much in getting the quarterback on the ground (32 sacks, ranked 27th)... Their interior pass rush especially needs a boost (7.5 sacks, including 5.5 by defensive tackle Arik Armstead).”

— Michael DiRocco, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Jaguars will need to navigate a challenging offseason, as they look to retain key free agents and address roster needs through the draft and free agency. Their ability to build on the momentum from 2025 will be crucial in determining if they can take the next step and become a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

The takeaway

The Jaguars' surprising success in 2025 has them positioned as an up-and-coming team in the NFL, with a chance to compete for a championship sooner than many expected. Their young core, led by Trevor Lawrence and Travon Walker, has the potential to develop into one of the league's most formidable units, but the team will need to navigate a tricky offseason to ensure they don't regress in 2026.