The Jacksonville Jaguars defense hopes to see a drastic improvement in Anthony Campanile’s first year as defensive coordinator. The defense struggled tremendously at all three levels in 2024 against the run, in coverage, and rushing the passer. The Jaguars’ pass rush stood out negatively, recording the fourth-fewest pressures and the fifth-fewest sacks, which allowed opposing quarterbacks to have plenty of time to throw.
The Jaguars hope to see improvement from their veteran defender.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ star defender had a rough position change
Arik Armstead has made it clear that he plans to return to his natural position, defensive tackle, for next season. He believes that this will allow him to play at a high level again.
“That’s gonna be my plan,” Armstead said, via Bobby Kownack of NFL.com. “That was what I wanted to do this season as well, too. There’s situations that you have to deal with in this league. I’m gonna switch back inside, which was what I wanted to do this season, and I’m gonna be back playing to an elite player that I know I can be.”
Star defender to return to natural position
“We certainly look forward to seeing guys being in different positions than they’ve been in the past and that being an element that activates different sides of them,” Gladstone said, via the team’s website. “Their whole approach has been great so far, so we’re looking forward to it.”
He will compete against a second-round pick
The expectation is for Arik Armstead to compete against former second-round pick Maason Smith for the starting defensive tackle job. Smith had a rough start to his rookie year, missing one game because of a healthy scratch and five with an ankle injury, but saw a larger role later in the year. He recorded 17 tackles, three TFLs, 14 pressures, four QB hits, and three sacks in five starts.
