5 key storylines to watch during Jaguars training camp

Training camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins on July 29 and, of course, there will be plenty to keep our eyes on over the next month of practices and preseason games.

We recently highlighted 14 things to watch on offense and another seven to watch on defense.

But what are the big storylines? The things that will grab our attention from the start of training camp to the end?

We detailed what those topics are and why they matter.

Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr.'s connection

Lawrence and Thomas building their chemistry has been a focal point all offseason, and that emphasis appears to be working. Thomas had a very good showing during offseason programs, while Lawrence continued to push the ball downfield -- another offseason priority.

Thomas will fill other roles, but he very much brings a vertical presence to this offense. An improved connection between him and Lawrence on those downfield throws won't only generate more big plays, but the attention that Thomas draws can open up opportunities for others in the passing game. - Paul Bretl

Nate Boerkircher's role and impact on the Jaguars' offense

The Jaguars' decision to draft Nate Boerkircher in the second round was highly criticized, with most analysts stopping just short of calling him a draft bust. He had some impressive performances in minicamp, however, and it's been made clear that Boerkircher was always Jacksonville's top choice. Training camp, then, will be the first chance to vindicate Boerkircher and, by extension, the Jaguars.

There is no denying that Boerkircher was an excellent blocking tight end in college; in fact, he was one of the best available. What made him appear less valuable is his lack of pass-catching production. If Boerkircher can prove during training camp that he can be a versatile tight end with more to offer than just blocking, it could be the first step towards justifying his selection in the second round. - Casandra Chesser

The running back rotation

The expectation is that we will see a committee approach out of the backfield this season, with Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen all having defined roles within the offense. However, how that playing time breaks down remains to be seen.

Tuten is the presumed RB1, with Liam Coen mentioning recently that he is expecting a "big year" from him. Rodriguez brings added physicality to the backfield and has been quite good at making defenders miss. Allen will continue to see the field on more obvious passing downs.

An improved run game will help elevate the Jaguars' offense in 2026. That not only falls on the shoulders of the running backs, but on the offensive line as well. - Paul Bretl

Travis Hunter's return

How will Travis Hunter perform after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year, and where will he contribute most? Those have been the two biggest questions surrounding the Jaguars' most talked-about player throughout the offseason, and training camp will be the first chance to answer both.

Hunter notoriously was a two-way player in college, and excelled as both a cornerback and a wide receiver. He also openly expressed his intention to continue playing both in the NFL, something Jacksonville has continued to say as well. During his rookie season, he was used primarily as a wide receiver, taking fewer snaps on defense than on offense. His sophomore year, it is expected the reverse will be true, with Hunter serving as a full-time cornerback who still sees snaps on offense. No one has officially confirmed this, though, so it remains — for now — just an expectation. Training camp will give the first glimpse into how the team plans to use him in 2026, and how well he has bounced back from injury. - Casandra Chesser

Jaguars pass rush

Leading the way will be Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, but around those two, the Jaguars need more pass rush consistency from both the defensive end and defensive tackle positions this season. In 2025, the Jaguars ranked a modest 18th in pressure rate in 2025 and 27th in sacks as a defense.

At defensive end, Jacksonville is relying on several relatively inexperienced players to provide the rotation a boost. At tackle, Arik Armstead was quite productive through the first half of last season, but a hand injury slowed his production down the stretch. It remains to be seen what kind of impact Ruke Orhorhoro can have as a pass rusher.

Getting after the quarterback is the name of the game. When done consistently, every other defender on the field benefits as it leads to sacks, hurried throws, and potential takeaways. - Paul Bretl

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 key storylines to watch during Jaguars training camp