Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025

In the NFL, a disruptive defensive front is the backbone of a dominant defense—able to pressure quarterbacks, stuff running lanes, and force turnovers—and for the Jacksonville Jaguars, upgrading this unit has become a top priority heading into 2025. After finishing the 2024 season with 38 sacks (tied for 16th in the NFL) and 98 tackles for loss (20th overall), the Jaguars’ defensive front showed flashes of potential but lacked the consistent disruption needed to anchor a playoff-caliber defense. Key issues included inconsistent interior pressure (defensive tackles combined for just 8 sacks) and a overreliance on edge rusher Josh Allen, who accounted for 14 of the team’s sacks—nearly 37% of the total. For a franchise aiming to compete for the AFC South title and a deep playoff run, these gaps are impossible to ignore. The Jaguars’ off-season moves, from free agency signings to draft picks, have all been designed to add depth, versatility, and playmaking to the defensive front—turning a solid unit into an elite one. This focus on disruption is why Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025 has become a defining narrative of the team’s off-season.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025 gains deeper context when examining the specific areas where the Jaguars’ defensive front fell short in 2024—and how those weaknesses impacted the entire defense. The most glaring issue was the lack of interior pass rush: opposing quarterbacks often had time to scan the field when the Jaguars only rushed four defenders, as defensive tackles struggled to beat guards and centers one-on-one. This forced the Jaguars to rely on blitzes from linebackers and defensive backs, which left the secondary vulnerable to deep passes (the team allowed 18 touchdowns of 20+ yards in 2024). In the run game, the defensive front also had inconsistencies, particularly in short-yardage situations—opponents converted 47% of third-and-1 attempts against the Jaguars, well above the league average of 41%. Part of the problem was depth: when starting defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton missed three games with a knee injury, the backup interior linemen allowed an average of 5.2 rushing yards per carry—nearly a yard more than when Hamilton was on the field. These issues weren’t due to a lack of talent, but rather a lack of depth and specialized skill sets. By addressing interior pass rush and run-stopping consistency, the Jaguars aim to make their defensive front a threat in every down and distance scenario—something that will elevate the entire defense.

A critical part of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025 is the off-season additions that have strengthened the defensive front, starting with the signing of free agent defensive tackle Arik Armstead. Armstead, a 9-year veteran who spent his career with the San Francisco 49ers, was brought in to solve the Jaguars’ interior pass rush problem: he recorded 7 sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 2024, using his 6-foot-7 frame and quickness to beat interior linemen. What makes Armstead particularly valuable is his versatility—he can line up at defensive tackle in base packages and shift to defensive end in nickel sets, giving the Jaguars flexibility to adjust to different offenses. The Jaguars also added depth in the draft, selecting defensive end Marcus Harris in the third round. Harris, a standout from the University of Florida, brings elite speed (4.62-second 40-yard dash) and a repertoire of pass-rush moves that complement Allen’s power-based game. During off-season workouts, Armstead and Harris have already made an impact: Armstead has been a mentor to young interior linemen like Tyler Lacy, while Harris has paired with Allen in drill work to refine their timing on stunts and twists. These additions, combined with the return of Hamilton and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, give the Jaguars a defensive front with four players who have recorded 5+ sacks in a season—something they lacked in 2024.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025 is particularly significant for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they prepare to face an AFC South schedule filled with offenses that thrive on neutralizing defensive fronts. The division includes the Indianapolis Colts, who have one of the NFL’s top offensive lines (allowing just 23 sacks in 2024) and a running game led by Jonathan Taylor, and the Houston Texans, who use a zone-blocking scheme that can confuse undisciplined defensive lines. To beat these teams, the Jaguars’ defensive front needs to generate pressure without relying on blitzes—and stop the run without stacking the box. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ new-look defensive front is designed to do just that: Armstead’s interior pressure will force Colts quarterbacks to rush their throws, while Harris’s speed will test the Texans’ offensive tackles on the edge. In a hypothetical Week 3 matchup against the Colts, for example, the Jaguars could line up Armstead and Hamilton at defensive tackle, with Allen and Harris at defensive end—creating a four-man rush that can both pressure the quarterback and clog running lanes. This type of versatility would have been impossible with the 2024 defensive front. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, a more disruptive defensive front isn’t just about sacking quarterbacks—it’s about controlling the tempo of games and forcing divisional rivals out of their comfort zones.

Another vital angle of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025 is the role of defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell’s updated scheme, which is designed to maximize the talents of the new defensive front. Caldwell has added more “stunt packages” to the playbook—where defensive linemen switch positions mid-rush to confuse offensive lines—taking advantage of Armstead’s ability to play multiple positions and Allen’s experience with complex rush patterns. He’s also implemented “gap-exchange” drills in practice, where defensive linemen practice swapping run-stopping responsibilities to handle zone-blocking schemes like the Texans’ and Colts’. During OTAs, these adjustments were on full display: in one team drill, Armstead and Allen ran a stunt that left Colts backup offensive tackle Will Fries confused, allowing Allen to sack the quarterback untouched. Caldwell has also emphasized “hands-on technique” with the defensive linemen, focusing on how to use their hands to control blockers and create separation— a skill that will be crucial against the Colts’ physical offensive line. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive linemen have embraced these changes, with Armstead noting, “Coach Caldwell’s scheme lets us play to our strengths. We’re not just rushing to rush—we’re rushing with a purpose to disrupt.” This synergy between scheme and talent is a big reason the Jaguars are optimistic about their defensive front’s potential in 2025. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the scheme isn’t just a set of plays—it’s a blueprint for turning individual talent into collective disruption.

Finally, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025 highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to building a sustainable, championship-caliber defense—one that can compete with the NFL’s best for years to come. By investing in the defensive front through both free agency (Armstead) and the draft (Harris), the Jaguars have ensured that this unit will remain strong even as older players age or leave. Armstead is signed through 2027, while Harris is under team control for the next four seasons—giving the Jaguars stability at key positions. The team has also focused on player development, with defensive line coach Brentson Buckner working closely with young players like Lacy and defensive tackle Jay Tufele to refine their skills. This approach reflects a maturity in the organization: instead of chasing short-term success with one-year signings, the Jacksonville Jaguars are building a foundation that will keep the defense competitive for years. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the defensive front—if they can generate consistent disruption, the Jaguars have a chance to be one of the NFL’s top defenses. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Front Seeks More Disruption in 2025 isn’t just a story about a football unit—it’s a story about a team that’s learned the importance of building from the trenches up, and is now ready to reap the rewards.