Jaguars' Travis Hunter, Ian Rapoport Debate 2026 Role

Jaguars receiver and NFL insider go back-and-forth on Hunter's expected position focus.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:18am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp geometric planes in teal, gold, and black representing the player's dynamic movements on the field.The Jaguars' plans for Travis Hunter's versatile skillset remain a point of debate as the young player aims to make an impact on both offense and defense.Today in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Jaguars second-year player Travis Hunter engaged in a back-and-forth exchange with NFL insider Ian Rapoport on social media regarding reports about Hunter's expected role in the 2026 season. Rapoport stated that the Jaguars plan to use Hunter primarily as a full-time cornerback with only occasional snaps on offense, a shift from his rookie year when he played more offensive snaps. Hunter questioned the accuracy of Rapoport's information, leading to a brief debate between the two.

Why it matters

Hunter was a highly touted two-way player coming out of college, and the Jaguars traded up to draft him in the first round. His ability to contribute on both offense and defense was a key part of his appeal, so any plans to focus him solely on defense would be a significant change in the team's strategy for utilizing his unique skillset.

The details

According to Rapoport, the Jaguars' plan is for Hunter to be a 'full-time corner, part-time receiver' in 2026, a shift from his rookie season when he played more snaps on offense than defense. Hunter questioned the accuracy of Rapoport's report, asking 'Now who told you this?' Rapoport responded that he didn't know what Hunter was questioning, saying 'Is he saying, 'Wow, I can't believe you have all this information, which is what I assume this is.''

  • In the 2025 season, Hunter played in 7 games before suffering an injury.
  • During his rookie season, Hunter played twice as many snaps on offense as on defense.

The players

Travis Hunter

A second-year wide receiver and cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who was a highly touted two-way player coming out of college.

Ian Rapoport

An NFL insider and reporter who shared information about the Jaguars' plans for Hunter's role in the 2026 season.

James Gladstone

The general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who provided an update on Hunter's rehab progress.

Brian Thomas Jr.

The Jaguars' starting wide receiver, ahead of Hunter on the depth chart.

Jakobi Meyers

The Jaguars' WR2, behind Brian Thomas Jr. on the depth chart.

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What they’re saying

“When he does come back ... they expect him to be a full-time corner, part-time receiver. When you talked to teams last year, that's probably where they thought the value was. Maybe this year we will get to see the player that (the Jaguars) drafted, that they traded up for.”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Insider

“Now who told you this?”

— Travis Hunter

“Which part of is (Hunter) questioning? Is he saying, 'Wow, I can't believe you have all this information, which is what I assume this is.”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Insider

What’s next

Hunter will need to get healthy enough to participate fully in the Jaguars' offseason program, with the goal of being ready to play at 'full tick' by the start of training camp.

The takeaway

The Jaguars' plans for Hunter's role in 2026 will be a key storyline to watch, as the team looks to maximize the value of their first-round draft pick and his unique two-way abilities. The debate between Hunter and Rapoport highlights the uncertainty and speculation surrounding the team's strategy for utilizing the young playmaker.