John Oehser

JACKSONVILLEThe energy was real, and fun.

This wasWednesdays Day 2 of Jaguars 2025 minicampa sunny, warm mid-June day at a festive Miller Electric Center. The festivities were perhaps a bit more enjoyable for the defense than the offense, which Head Coach Liam Coen kept in perspective.

This was a day for smiles and cheering and a cool day for fans.

The Jaguars on Wednesday held an intense, two-hour practice with the session open to the public, a relatively rare occurrence for an NFL offseason practice.The MEC stands were overflowing, with the crowd cheering on a day featuring multiple big plays by multiple defensive players.

"It's a great experience," rookie wide receiver defensive back/wide receiverTravis Huntersaid of practicing in front of the fans,with Coen adding:"I really appreciate them being out here today, taking the time throughout this time.

The unpadded Tuesday practice featured competitive 11-on-11, red-zone and situational work,with the defense "winning" more situations than the offense.

Coen, who spent last season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator, has talked often during the offseason program of learning to see practices from a "head coach's perspective" rather than that of an offensive coach. He was asked if Wednesday's practice in that sense was "tough to swallow."

Coen lauded the defense's pass rush Tuesday and Wednesday, saying the area elevated on Wednesday. He added that the defense performed well Wednesday tipping passes, forcing overthrows and creating turnovers.

"It was just good to see," Coen said. "You just got a lot of different guys touching the ball on defense and ultimately, now on the flip side offensively, we've got to come back and take care of the football better. If we don't hurt ourselves, usually good things happen."

SafetyAntonio Johnsonhad an interception Wednesday, as did rookie safetyRayuan Lane IIIand rookie defensive tackleKeivie Rose. CornerbackMontaric Brown, cornerbackTyson Campbelland safetyCaleb Ransawwere among multiple defensive players with pass breakups.

"Liam's created that environment in practice every day, which is awesome."

After two intense, two-hour-ish practices to start minicamp, Coen said Thursday's Day 3 session the final practice of the offseason program will be closer to an hour and feature seven-on-seven work with just one 11-on-11 "team" period.

"I want tomorrow (Thursday) to be cleaner than today (Wednesday) was, and I'll feel a little bit better walking off the field."

NOTABLE

• Jaguars second-year wide receiverBrian Thomas Jr.. left practice briefly Wednesday with what Coen said was a shoulder bruise. He returned to the field but did not finish practice. "He's fine," Coen said. "He absolutely could have gone back and played. He bruised it a little bit. He said he had great range of motion, strength. He's all good. No issues. It's nothing new for him. He's had them a little in the past. He was completely cleared to play. It's never fun to see. And we've been really blessed and fortunate. It happens."