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Jacksonville Jaguars’ James Gladstone breaks down roster decisions

Jaguars general manager James Gladstone met with media Wednesday after cut-down day and shared insight into his first year in charge, decision-making.

  • The Jacksonville Jaguars will begin the 2025 season under new leadership, including EVP Tony Boselli, head coach Liam Coen, and general manager James Gladstone.
  • The Jaguars’ 2025 schedule includes tough early matchups against teams like the Texans, Chiefs, Bengals, and 49ers.
  • The Jaguars will play four of their six divisional games in the final six weeks of the season.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars take to the field on Sunday in Week 1, they’ll do so under new leadership.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan has entrusted the team with executive vice president Tony Boselli, head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone. It’s almost serendipitous, then, that the team’s first draft pick gets to, in part, lead the team into a new era of Jaguars football against the very same he suited up against — the Carolina Panthers.

Jacksonville’s first game came in 1995 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on July 29, 1995. It’s come nearly full circle, and there’ll be more to discuss as Sunday approaches. For now, the team must look at the schedule as a whole and understand what lies ahead from Week 1 to the end of the regular season.

There’s no doubt that this season of firsts will feature numerous ups and downs. The team begins the season playing two playoff teams from a year ago (Texans and Chiefs) within the first five weeks, with the Bengals and 49ers also on the docket as teams that have had major success in recent years but faltered in 2024.

Jacksonville’s schedule eases as they approach the finish line. Their final seven games of the season feature teams that went a combined 34-51 last season. They play the Titans and Colts twice, making four of their final seven games against divisional opponents.

Theoretically, that’s when Jacksonville ought to make a push for the playoffs. But things typically don’t happen the way people think they will in the NFL.

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Jaguars predictions for 2025 seasonSept. 7: Jaguars vs. Panthers

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: Jacksonville’s game against the Panthers will be a true litmus test as to where the team currently stands. The Panthers went 5-12 last season. Jacksonville should be better equipped early.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars 24, Panthers 10
  • Overall record: 1-0

Sept. 14: Jaguars at Bengals

  • Location, time: Paycor Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: If Week 1 was a litmus test, then Week 2 is a crucible for the franchise. The Bengals may have faltered last season, but they field some of the league’s best players on offense. It’ll be a shootout and a real test for Trevor Lawrence.
  • Score prediction: Bengals 35, Jaguars 27
  • Overall record: 1-1

Sept. 21: Jaguars vs. Texans

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: Jacksonville’s first must-win game of the early part of the season. Hosting Houston, the Jaguars should be able to take down the up-and-down division rival. It gives them a major advantage down the line, too.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars, 24, Texans 17
  • Overall record: 2-1

Sept. 28: Jaguars at 49ers

  • Location, time: Levi’s Stadium, 4:05 ET
  • About the game: The first of a few West Coast trips for the Jaguars. Though San Francisco has dealt with numerous injuries, this doesn’t feel like a cakewalk at all. The Jaguars will have to overcome a stout defense and a well-coached offense when they’re as healthy as they likely will be.
  • Score prediction: 49ers 30, Jaguars 14
  • Overall record: 2-2

Oct. 6: Jaguars vs. Chiefs

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, 8:15 p.m. ET
  • About the game: The Chiefs are coming off a Super Bowl loss, but should remain favorites to win it all this year. Lawrence hasn’t been able to beat ’em, and a Monday night appearance probably won’t help that situation.
  • Score prediction: Chiefs 35, Jaguars 21
  • Overall record: 2-3

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Oct. 12: Jaguars vs. Seahawks

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: The Seahawks are a strange team. Their 10-7 record from last season shows great improvement and is a sign of good things to come. Yet, they let their franchise QB go for Sam Darnold. Seattle probably wins this game, but it’s no sure thing.
  • Score prediction: Seahawks, 21, Jaguars 14
  • Overall record: 2-4

Oct. 19: Jaguars vs. Rams

  • Location, time: Wembley Stadium, 9:30 a.m. ET
  • About the game: The Jaguars have an advantage in London, as seen by the team’s 7-6 record overseas. The Rams are further along in their build, but injuries could dampen their team. Still, it feels like Jacksonville is too early to upset Coen and Gladstone’s former team.
  • Score prediction: Rams 21, Jaguars 10
  • Overall record: 2-5

Nov. 2: Jaguars at Raiders

  • Location, time: Allegiant Stadium, 4:05 ET.
  • About the game: After a bye week, the Jaguars return with renewed focus and should be able to take down a Raiders team that is a bit behind in terms of build.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars 28, Raiders 14
  • Overall record: 3-5

Nov. 9: Jaguars at Texans

  • Location, time: NRG Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: This is about when Jacksonville must start a run if they want to make the playoffs. After already beating the Texans at home, they’ll likely split this series.
  • Score prediction: Texans 24, Jaguars 17
  • Overall record: 3-6

Nov. 16: Jaguars vs. Chargers

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: The Chargers remain the most confusing team in the league with a franchise quarterback, perhaps just behind the Jaguars. Los Angeles is ahead of Jacksonville, and perhaps that 2022 playoff game still lingers.
  • Score prediction: Chargers, 31, Jaguars 20
  • Overall record: 3-7

Nov. 23: Jaguars at Cardinals

  • Location, time: State Farm Stadium, 4:05 p.m. ET
  • About the game: This is a sneaky-tough game for Jacksonville. Kyler Murray is one of the more underrated quarterbacks out there. Jacksonville may still be reeling from its previous week’s loss.
  • Score prediction: Cardinals 24, Jaguars 3
  • Overall record: 3-8

Nov. 30: Jaguars at Titans

  • Location, time: Nissan Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: Late-season Cam Ward could be thriving, or he could be hoping for the season to finish sooner rather than later. Given how the Titans have performed over the last few years, it is likely going to be the latter.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars 28, Titans 3
  • Overall record: 4-8

Dec. 7: Jaguars vs. Colts

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: The Colts are starting Daniel Jones this season, with Anthony Richardson and major dysfunction waiting in the wings. This should be an easy win for a franchise heading in the right direction against one that appears to be sinking.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars 27, Colts 10
  • Overall record: 5-8

Dec. 14: Jaguars vs. Jets

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, 1 p.m. ET
  • About the game: The Jets are trying to get back to what they did best, run the ball and play outstanding defense. We will see what actually happens. For Jacksonville, they shouldn’t have much issue against Justin Fields.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars 20, Jets 14
  • Overall record: 6-8

Dec. 21: Jaguars at Broncos

  • Location, time: Empower Field at Mile High, 4:05 p.m. ET
  • About the game: The Broncos are going to be a challenge no matter what. The team’s defense is still one of the most impressive in the league, and there’s no reason to think they have gotten worse from last year to this year. Jacksonville falters.
  • Score prediction: Broncos 21, Jaguars 10
  • Overall record: 6-9

Dec. 28: Jaguars at Colts

  • Location, time: Lucas Oil Stadium, 1:00 p.m. ET
  • About the game: The Colts probably aren’t going to suddenly get better a couple of weeks later. This could be an upset-alert game for Jacksonville, but they’ll be fine.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars 20, Colts 10
  • Overall record: 7-9

Jan. 3 OR Jan. 4: Jaguars vs. Titans

  • Location, time: EverBank Stadium, TBA ET
  • About the game: The Titans are not the worst team in the league again, but they aren’t good, either. This should be a nice close-out for the team and give the team’s future some hope.
  • Score prediction: Jaguars 38, Titans 10
  • Overall record: 8-9

Overall Outlook

The Jaguars would likely miss the playoffs with an 8-9 record, but doubling last season’s win total ought to be celebrated. The Jaguars struggled in 2024 for reasons beyond coaching and roster building. A team’s culture takes time to be reset, and exiting the 2025 season with a 5-1 record within the division would be seen as a coup heading into next season — it could even put a chip on the team’s shoulder, something they perhaps needed last year.

A 2-2 record would also give the team’s fan base reason for optimism, despite a bit of a slip in the middle of the year.

In this prediction, Jacksonville’s nine losses are against formidable opponents, those that have either made the playoffs within the last two years (Chiefs, Bengals, Rams, Texans, 49ers, Seahawks) or are heading in the right direction (Broncos, Cardinals). Of course, the franchise could pull off the improbable — it wouldn’t be the first time.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.

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