Travis Hunter’s potential role uncertain after unusual remarks from Jaguars coach

The Jaguars Might Change Travis Hunter’s Role

The Jaguars are considering moving Travis Hunter away from playing both cornerback and receiver.

Coach Liam Cohen hinted that after a rocky rookie year that was cut short by knee surgery, Hunter could focus on just one position. Hunter went under the knife recently to fix a damaged lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, but the team remains optimistic about his recovery. They expect him to engage in “full-scale soccer activities” within six months.

“I know there are numerous questions about whether he remains a two-way player,” Cohen mentioned. “But it’s really too early to say. By the end of the season, we’ll evaluate all players, and we’ll provide feedback on what they need to improve and where they excel.”

Interestingly, Cohen didn’t guarantee that Hunter would still play both roles, which is noteworthy given that the Jaguars made a significant trade to select the former Colorado standout in the 2025 NFL Draft.

In fact, Hunter had been considered the top prospect for both receiver and cornerback according to a lot of rankings. The Jaguars traded their No. 5 and No. 36 picks, along with a fourth-round pick and a first-rounder in 2026, to acquire him from the Browns at the No. 2 spot.

“It’s quite rare to find a player who can truly change the game,” said Jaguars general manager James Gladstone during the draft. “We see him as something special.”

However, Hunter’s rookie season left much to be desired.

He managed just 28 receptions for 298 yards and a single touchdown over seven games. He only broke 65 yards in a game once, placing him at 64th out of 83 eligible receivers, according to Pro Football Focus.

Hunter did shine in his last appearance on October 19 against the Rams, racking up eight catches for 101 yards and one touchdown.

On the defense side, he made 15 tackles and had three pass deflections, but he didn’t achieve any sacks or interceptions during his rookie run.

His performance ranked him 30th among 188 cornerbacks in coverage as evaluated by Pro Football Focus.

When asked about Hunter’s potential to take on the roles of No. 1 receiver and cornerback, Cohen pointed out that it’s “very early,” since team dynamics play a significant role in these decisions.

“We’re also assessing where we’ll need his skills most. This experience has been a learning one for him,” Cohen reflected. “Understanding the athlete as a person—how they learn, compete, and practice—is vital, and we’ve gained valuable insights that will help us moving forward.”

The Jaguars, currently sitting at 5-4, have gone 1-1 since Hunter’s injury in Week 7, which includes a tight 36-29 loss to the Texans in Week 10.

Thanks to an earlier victory against the Chiefs, they still maintain the seventh and final playoff spot, eyeing a postseason berth despite missing a first-round draft pick.