Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Jaguars opened their 2025 preseason with an exciting home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving fans their first taste of football action since last season. The game featured a mix of starters, rookies, and depth players — with head coach Liam Coen making it clear that “everybody” would see the field.
Even star quarterback Trevor Lawrence and two-way phenom Travis Hunter saw snaps early, giving the night a real competitive edge despite it being the preseason.
Throughout the evening, there were impressive plays, a few miscues, and plenty of moments that will keep coaches busy in the film room. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the night, from opening kickoff to the final whistle.
Opening Drive – Jaguars Start Fast
Trevor Lawrence wasted no time showing he’s in midseason form. On Jacksonville’s opening possession, Lawrence completed 6 of 7 passes for 43 yards, spreading the ball around to multiple targets. The offense marched 44 yards on 12 plays before settling for a Cam Little field goal to make it 3-0.
Liam Coen’s offensive play-calling was diverse from the start — we saw bubble screens, a jet sweep to Dyami Brown, quick slants, and several passes over the middle. The early emphasis on rhythm passing kept the Steelers’ defense guessing.
Steelers Respond with a Touchdown
Pittsburgh’s opening drive was just as efficient. Quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson alternated snaps, taking advantage of soft zones in Jacksonville’s defense. Several completions went uncontested, as the Jaguars’ secondary played a cushion-heavy scheme.
The drive ended in the end zone, with the Steelers exploiting space underneath before finding a receiver in stride across the middle. Just like that, it was 7-3 Steelers.
Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Debut
One of the most anticipated storylines of the night was rookie Travis Hunter, who played snaps on both sides of the ball.
- On Offense: Hunter lined up in the slot, catching both passes thrown his way for 9 yards. One was a quick screen, while the other was an in-breaking route. A third target was wiped out by penalty. In total, he played 10 offensive snaps.
- On Defense: Hunter saw 8 defensive snaps but wasn’t targeted in coverage. His footwork and positioning were solid, and while it’s a small sample size, it showed promise for his role in Jacksonville’s secondary.
Hunter’s ability to transition between offense and defense seamlessly could be a game-changer this season.
Second Quarter – Jaguars Passing Game Stays Hot
Backup quarterbacks kept Jacksonville’s passing attack rolling. Across the first half, Jaguars QBs went 31-of-44 for 273 yards and a touchdown, spreading the ball to a wide array of receivers. The offensive line gave them clean pockets for much of the night, allowing them to dissect Pittsburgh’s defense.
Josh Cephus led the receiving corps at halftime with 25 yards on multiple catches, while running back Tank Bigsby logged 24 rushing yards on six carries. Emmanuel Ogbah’s presence on defense was notable — four tackles and consistent backfield pressure. Dawuane Smoot also made his mark with a sack.
Trenton Irwin’s Statement Touchdown
One of the night’s standout moments came when Trenton Irwin hauled in a touchdown pass. Irwin, competing for one of the final wide receiver roster spots alongside Cephus and Eli Pancol, made a strong case for himself with crisp route running and reliable hands.
His score reminded everyone that the battle for the WR depth chart is far from decided.
Steelers Quarterbacks Stay Perfect
While the Jaguars excelled through the air, Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks were equally sharp. By midway through the third quarter, Rudolph and Thompson combined for 23 completions on 28 attempts. However, unlike Jacksonville, the Steelers struggled to run the football, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry.
Jacksonville’s front seven deserves credit for clogging running lanes and forcing Pittsburgh into a pass-heavy approach.
Second Half – Jaguars Pull Away
The third quarter saw the Jaguars increase their lead. With Pittsburgh struggling to sustain drives on the ground, Jacksonville capitalized on good field position. Liston Colaco drew a red-zone penalty, setting up another scoring opportunity.
Although the Steelers’ defense held firm on a couple of drives, Jacksonville’s balanced attack eventually wore them down. The passing game maintained its rhythm while the run game — though averaging just 4.0 yards per carry — provided enough balance to keep the defense honest.
Defensive Bright Spots
Jacksonville’s defense, while soft in coverage early, tightened up as the game went on. Key highlights included:
- Dawuane Smoot’s sack, which came on a perfectly timed stunt.
- Strong tackling from Emmanuel Ogbah, who consistently disrupted short-yardage plays.
- Improved communication in the secondary during the second half, limiting big gains after the catch.
Inactives List – Key Absences
Before kickoff, Jaguars insider John Shipley reported the following players as inactive due to various injuries:
- S Caleb Ransaw
- CB Buster Brown
- LB Jalen McLeod
- LB Dennis Gardeck
- OL Patrick Mekari
- OL Cole Van Lanen
- TE Johnny Mundt
- DL Arik Armstead
- DL Maason Smith
Their absences gave more reps to younger players and fringe roster candidates.
Special Teams Notes
Cam Little was perfect on his kicks, showing consistency from short and intermediate ranges. Punter Logan Cooke had a solid night pinning the Steelers deep, including one kick that forced Pittsburgh to start inside their own 10-yard line.
Kick coverage was generally strong, though a couple of missed tackles allowed for modest returns.
Final Thoughts – What We Learned
- Trevor Lawrence Looks Locked In: His sharp decision-making and accuracy early on should give Jaguars fans confidence heading into the regular season.
- Travis Hunter’s Potential is Real: Even in limited snaps, he showed versatility that could make him a weapon on both sides of the ball.
- WR Depth Battle is Heating Up: Trenton Irwin, Josh Cephus, and Eli Pancol are all making strong cases to stick around.
- Run Game Still a Work in Progress: While serviceable, the rushing attack didn’t dominate — something to monitor moving forward.
- Defense Needs Early Adjustments: The first drive exposed some zone coverage vulnerabilities, but improvements were evident as the game progressed.
Full Game Summary
The Jaguars’ 2025 preseason opener was more than just a tune-up — it was a showcase of depth, talent, and versatility. The offense looked smooth under Liam Coen’s guidance, the defense grew stronger as the game went on, and several bubble players made statements in their fight for roster spots.
Jacksonville’s passing game, in particular, was the star of the night, completing 70%+ of passes and keeping the chains moving consistently. While Pittsburgh had success through the air, their inability to run the ball kept them from taking control.
When the dust settled, it was a solid preseason performance for the Jaguars, setting a positive tone for the rest of August.
FAQ – Jaguars vs Steelers Preseason 2025
Q1: When was the Jaguars vs Steelers Preseason 2025 game played?
A: The game was played in August 2025 as part of the NFL’s official preseason schedule.
Q2: Where was the Jaguars vs Steelers Preseason 2025 game held?
A: The match took place at [insert stadium name if known], home of the hosting team.
Q3: What was the final score of the Jaguars vs Steelers Preseason 2025 game?
A: The final score was [insert final score], with [winning team] securing the victory.
Q4: Who were the standout players in the Jaguars vs Steelers Preseason 2025?
A: Key performers included [player name] from the Jaguars and [player name] from the Steelers, who delivered impressive plays throughout the game.
Q5: Why is the Jaguars vs Steelers preseason game important?
A: Preseason games help teams test strategies, evaluate rookies, and give fans a preview of potential regular-season performance.
Q6: How can I watch the Jaguars vs Steelers Preseason 2025 highlights?
A: Highlights are available on the official NFL website, YouTube, and team social media channels.
Q7: Did any injuries occur during the Jaguars vs Steelers Preseason 2025 game?
A: As of the latest updates, [insert injury details or “no major injuries were reported”].
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