How Versatility Plays a Role in the Jaguars Approach to Tight Ends
Entering training camp, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ tight end room was in quite a predicament. During the offseason, the Jaguars lost 2023 Pro Bowl veteran Evan Engram to the Denver Broncos and lost backup Luke Farrell to the San Francisco 49ers. Following the release of the first Jaguars’ unofficial depth chart on August 4th, they listed the starting tight end as third-year player Brenton Strange. To many NFL fans and casuals, this might seem as a weak position for the Jaguars to deal with entering the season. However, head coach Liam Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski have high hopes and big plans for this offensive unit.
As the team was reshaping the tight end core following the loss of their two key pieces to the group, general manager James Gladstone believed the priority for this unit was to improve versatility entering 2025. Through training camp, the Jaguars have seen this on a daily display from multiple tight ends. Outside of Brenton Strange, the Jaguars’ tight end room consists of ninth-year Johnny Mundt and fifth-year Hunter Long. The remaining players of the group will be fighting for a roster spot entering the season, which consists of Buffalo Bills veteran Quintin Morris, Oregon rookie Patrick Herbert, Rutgers alumnus Shawn Bowman, and North Carolina rookie John Copenhaver.
Coen and the offensive Jaguars staff have been impressed with the unit so far through camp. Brenton Strange, Johnny Mundt, and Hunter Long have all made plays that were praised by Grant Udinski when he addressed the media. To Udinski and Coen, they see that this core has the potential to help shift the offense to a better place than where it performed in 2024. Each tight end has the ability to provide value in the passing attack with superstar Trevor Lawrence, allowing for a sense of unpredictability towards the defenses. When these tight ends can block, line up in-line and as a wing, go back across the formation, or go in motion and run a route, it will become difficult for defenses to predict what is coming. This will allow Udinski to open and create more opportunities for the wide receivers and running backs, taking some of the initial pressure off guys like Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Etienne Jr.
In prior years, Johnny Mundt and Hunter Long have primarily been blocking tight ends. However, they have transitioned well in training camp to approach a variety of roles in the new structured offense under Liam Coen and Udinski. Each tight end has a high upside that can be reached with a successful passing attack. Keep in mind, while these tight ends will be used to impact the passing game, tight ends lower on the depth chart will be used in a blocking-first mentality. The Jacksonville Jaguars will have an opportunity to showcase their new tight end approach in the first preseason game on August 9th against the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin.
