Social Media Reacts to Jaguars Extending Cole Van Lanen
![Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line Coach Shaun Sarrett coaches Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen (70) during the fourth organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Tuesday, May 27, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line Coach Shaun Sarrett coaches Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen (70) during the fourth organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Tuesday, May 27, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2617,h_1472/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/jaguar_report/01ke2vk9sm4rp2kw8qh2.jpg)
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars made another critical decision this week.
Just days before the Jaguars were set to kick off against the Tennessee Titans for a chance to win the AFC South title, the Jaguars locked down offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen as their left tackle of the future with a three-year deal. So, how did Duval and others react on social media? We break it down below.
Duval Sounds Off
Jaguars fans weren't afraid to show their love for the move, with Van Lanen's popularity soaring this year after the kind of season he has had. Van Lanen has not just played well at left tackle over the last month -- he has also played quality snaps and made starts at left guard, right right, and right tackle. Players with that kind of versatility simply do not come around often.
As a result, fans made sure to let it be known that they were giving their stamp of approval on the latest move from general manager James Gladstone and his front office. The deal puts Van Lanen just around No. 15 in terms of total contract value at left tackle, which means this deal could be a steal if he continues his hot streak as expected.
What a story, and what an overall development from this new staff and regime.
— Darien (ChillTakes) (@chilltakes_) January 3, 2026
Well deserved Cole Van Lanen https://t.co/KfvLbjx7mT
Great team friendly deal, would put him around the 15th highest paid LT for average salary.
— clay (@07_clay) January 3, 2026
If he hit the open market a desperate team would have given him 20 per year. https://t.co/jAMAlK6kpH
Saturday 4pm EST is the deadline for any contract extensions to have the pro-rated money hit the 2025 salary cap. Teams working to get some extensions finalized.
— Troy_OTC (@TexansCap) January 3, 2026
LA Rams with Quentin Lake and now JAX with Cole Van Lanen.
Van Lanen has been one of the best surprises of the year for the Jaguars, with the long-time backup having the best season of his career in his fourth year with the Jaguars. The Jaguars have had to lean on Van Lanen time and time again during their seven-game winning streak, and he has made sure to step up each time.
Considering Van Lanen entered the season as the swing tackle, he has had quite a rise over the last 16 games. This contract means Van Lanen is a clear part of the future of the offensive line and is the left tackle of the future, a rapid ascension for the former Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packers draft pick.
Jakobi Meyers and Cole Van Lanen have completely altered the trajectory of the offense’s potential for the absolute better.
— 50shadesofsteez (@50shadesofsteez) January 3, 2026
Congrats to Cole Van Lanen. Well deserved!
— Tom McManus (@meathead55) January 3, 2026
First Jakobi Meyers now Cole Van Lanen…James Gladstone is Cookin…I Like It…I Like It A Lot https://t.co/4cSYSIZfz2
— Hacker (@RyanGreen1010XL) January 3, 2026
Cole Van Lanen has allowed nine pressures and ZERO sacks on 166 Pass-Block snaps at LT this season per @PFF. pic.twitter.com/6Tg6oPOpCd
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) January 3, 2026
The Jaguars were able to land Van Lanen before the 2022 season began when former general manager Trent Baalke traded a seventh-round draft pick for talented offensive lineman. Van Lanen has stuck in Jacksonville since and has seemingly seen his role increase with every season, leading ho his career year.
For Baalke and the Jaguars' former decision-makers, the Van Lanen trade is one that has aged remarkably well. In many ways, it has paid off like one of the best trades in recent team history.
Packers getting Malik Willis for a 7th rounder 👍
— Greg Williams (@GregWilliams28) January 3, 2026
Packers trading Cole Van Lanen for a 7th rounder 👎 https://t.co/gX4razgMBK
The packers trade Cole van lanen for a box of crayons and dude just got paid…. Imagine
— Sons of the North (@kylinhillburner) January 3, 2026
This Cole Van Lanen extension only irritates me because the Coaching staff and Front Office put their stock in Royce Newman... https://t.co/hv5JI6NyzM
— Mike Kawano (@KawanoMike) January 3, 2026
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John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.
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