Why Liam Coen is Playing Jaguars Starters vs. Steelers

Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen announced to the media on Thursday after practice that his starters will play against Pittsburgh at EverBank Stadium on Saturday. But just what was a major part of his inspiration? Coen revealed to the media a conversation that made it clear what his players want.

Now, Coen and his staff were going through all of the possibilities and scenarios for this weekend's blueprint. While he was quick to consider the wants and needs of his players, the first year head coach didn't need to be convinced of anything.

Coen on the interaction that helped tip the scales regarding starters playing in Preseason Week 1 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers

Jacksonville Jaguars center Robert Hainsey (73) warms up with Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) during the seventh organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Monday, June 2, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Hainsey [C Robert Heinsey]," recalled Coen. "Not convinced, but he just came up the other day in the weight room and was just, like, ‘What are we doing?’ I’m like, ‘I’m still working on it. ’ He said, ‘We want to play.’ Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] as well and some of the guys, so it’ll be good.”

"A lot of the guys want to play. You’ve got two new systems on both sides of the ball, and the one joint [practice] as I mentioned, so – I’m not saying it ties your hands, you can do whatever you want – just kind of everything leans that way, to it probably being the best thing for our team right now.”

Coen on the importance of players feeling comfortable coming to him like Hainsey did

Trevor Lawrence and Liam Coen — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen talk while quarterback Nick Mullens listens during the Jaguar’s 12th NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Yeah, it is. We obviously have a little bit more experience with some of those kinds of conversations than other guys, but I appreciate being able to have that. Trevor called me the other night, and we talked about it as well on the ride home a little bit."

"I appreciate that and definitely more of what you’re looking for in terms of the communication and the ability to be honest and have a real conversation," convinced Coen. "Ultimately, those guys have a pulse so much more for what the locker room is than I do on a daily basis. That’s just the reality. So, it was good to hear from those guys.”

It's a difficult process to decide on playing time for veterans in the preseason with there's always a chance for things to go badly injury-wise. But Coen knows that his team needs time to gel. Not only that, he knows their desire to play.

Establishing a relationship of trust and collaboration at an early juncture, might just be the first win of Liam Coen's NFL coaching career.

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