The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense last season was the top run defense unit in football and finished the year ranked eighth in points per game allowed.
However, heading into the 2026 season, there is one key area where this unit must improve: Getting after the quarterback.
As a collective unit, the Jaguars ranked a modest 18th in pressure rate in 2025 and 27th in sacks.
Generating more steady pressure and then turning those opportunities into sacks at a higher rate starts with the pass rush and coverage working in unison.
“I think part of that is just tightening it,” said defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. “I talked about this a little bit in the offseason too — tighten it up some of the stuff on the back end because the ball, like if you look at the ball out, the ball’s coming out pretty quick. So that’s a good thing, but we got to be able to tighten it up when the ball does come out to be able to make some more plays on the ball or force the quarterback to be able to hold that ball another tick longer. So I think that’s part of its rush and coverage tied together.”
At defensive end, the Jaguars have one of the top duos in football in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. However, there is a lot of inexperience on the depth chart behind them, which creates some uncertainties.
Along the interior, the Jaguars’ pass rush presence faded during the latter portion of the season. To provide a boost, the Jaguars acquired Ruke Orhorhoro this offseason.
The search for increased production, however, does not only fall on the players, but it’s on the coaching staff as well, specifically in how they utilize these defenders.
“I think the D-line guys, Derek LeBlanc, Matt Edwards, have done a great job this offseason,” Campanile added. “We spent a ton of time on that, how to utilize our guys in the front a little bit better, play to their strengths, and we got some new things this year that I think are going to be pretty good for us.”
The name of the game is pressuring the quarterback, and if the Jaguars can take a step forward in that regard this season, that will greatly help this defense reach new heights in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2 areas of emphasis to help Jaguars generate more sacks in 2026
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
