Will Travis Hunter Play Offense and Defense in Jaguars’ First Preseason Game? Liam Coen Reveals Plan for Star Rookie

The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to open their 2025 NFL Preseason at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 9, 2025. The main question is, where will Travis Hunter play?

After the club listed him as the No. 1 wideout and the No. 2 cornerback, head coach Liam Coen disclosed the team’s plans for Hunter’s opening NFL snaps.

Coen Optimistic Regarding Travis Hunter’s Capabilities

Hunter is coming off an eruption of a 2024 collegiate season that saw him take home Heisman Trophy honors. The award came with Hunter getting plenty of reps on both offense and defense. As he enters the NFL, plenty of doubters have questioned whether the 22-year-old can do both.

To begin the NFL preseason, it appears Hunter will already begin to prove those doubters wrong. The 6’0″ wideout is said to play both WR and CB.

NFL analyst Ari Meirov took to X, confirming the same: A player up for two positions.

#Jaguars HC Liam Coen says Travis Hunter will play on Saturday vs. the Steelers — and he’ll line up at both WR and CB in the game. pic.twitter.com/qXuwjNQDli

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 7, 2025

Jaguars Players Excited To Play for First-Year Head Coach Ahead of Preseason

Coen expressed that his guys are itching to get out there despite this being the first preseason outing of the year.

When asked who would get the start Saturday, Coen put things bluntly: “We will play everybody. How long that is, we’ll determine how things are going a little bit, but everybody’s gonna play in this game.”

The decision for Coen came as some players approached the first-year head coach, asking to be suited up, making it easier on the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator.

“Actually, he [Robert Hainsey] was one of the guys that kind of convinced me,” said Coen. “Came in the weight room the other day on the day off, and we talked about it. He wanted to play. A lot of the guys want to play.”

Coen also mentioned that Trevor Lawrence was another player lobbying to get into the action. Regardless of how long he stays in the game, Jaguars fans will get their first look at the Lawrence-Hunter connection.

Read More: Top Fantasy WRs to Watch in NFL Preseason, Including Rashee Rice, Travis Hunter, and Tre Harris

The 39-year-old stated that the new offensive system motivates him further to play Jacksonville’s top guys.

“We have moving parts and pieces on the offensive line, obviously multiple different receivers, quarterback playing in a first-year system,” said Coen. “All of that is kind of what points to that.”

With a brand new offensive mold, the Jaguars face a tough test as they host the NFL’s most expensive defense. While Pittsburgh has yet to announce who will play Saturday, Hunter and the rest of Jacksonville continue preparing for whoever head coach Mike Tomlin sends out.